Act V, Scene II — A hall in the castle.[2137]
Enter HAMLET and HORATIO.
Ham. So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;[2138] You do remember all the circumstance?[2139]
Hor. Remember it, my lord!
Ham. Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting, That would not let me sleep: methought I lay[2140] 5 Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly,[2141][2142] And praised be rashness for it, let us know,[2142][2143][2144][2145] Our indiscretion sometime serves us well[2144][2145][2146] When our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us[2144][2147] There's a divinity that shapes our ends,[2144] 10 Rough-hew them how we will.[2144]
Hor. That is most certain.
Ham. Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark[2148] Groped I to find out them; had my desire,[2149] Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew 15 To mine own room again; making so bold,[2150][2151] My fears forgetting manners, to unseal[2151][2152] Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,-- O royal knavery!--an exact command,[2153] Larded with many several sorts of reasons,[2154] 20 Importing Denmark's health and England's too, With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,[2155] That, on the supervise, no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,[2156] My head should be struck off.[2157]
Hor. Is't possible? 25
Ham. Here's the commission: read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed?[2158]
Hor. I beseech you.[2159]
Ham. Being thus be-netted round with villanies,--[2160][2161] Or I could make a prologue to my brains,[2160][2162] 30 They had begun the play,--I sat me down;[2160][2163] Devised a new commission; wrote it fair: I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labour'd much[2164] How to forget that learning; but, sir, now 35 It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know[2165] The effect of what I wrote?[2166]
Hor. Ay, good my lord.
Ham. An earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish,[2167] 40 As peace should still her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma 'tween their amities,[2168] And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,[2169] That, on the view and knowing of these contents,[2170] Without debatement further, more or less, 45 He should the bearers put to sudden death,[2171] Not shriving-time allow'd.[2172]
Hor. How was this seal'd?
Ham. Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.[2173] I had my father's signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal: 50 Folded the writ up in the form of the other;[2174] Subscribed it; gave't the impression; placed it safely,[2175] The changeling never known. Now, the next day[2176] Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent[2177] Thou know'st already.[2178] 55
Hor. So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.[2179]
Ham. Why, man, they did make love to this employment;[2180] They are not near my conscience; their defeat[2181] Does by their own insinuation grow:[2182] 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes[2183] 60 Between the pass and fell incensed points[2184] Of mighty opposites.
Hor. Why, what a king is this!
Ham. Does it not, thinks't thee, stand me now upon--[2185] He that hath kill'd my king, and whored my mother;[2186] Popp'd in between the election and my hopes;[2187] 65 Thrown out his angle for my proper life,[2188] And with such cozenage--is't not perfect conscience,[2189] To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,[2190][2191] To let this canker of our nature come[2190] In further evil?[2190][2192] 70
Hor. It must be shortly known to him from England[2190] What is the issue of the business there.[2190]
Ham. It will be short: the interim is mine;[2190][2193][2194] And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.'[2190][2193][2195] But I am very sorry, good Horatio,[2190][2193] 75 That to Laertes I forgot myself;[2190] For, by the image of my cause, I see[2190] The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours:[2190][2196] But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me[2190] Into a towering passion.[2190]
Hor. Peace! who comes here?[2190][2197] 80
Enter OSRIC.
Osr. Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.[2198][2199]
Ham. I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly?[2200][2201]
Hor. No, my good lord.[2201]
Ham. Thy state is the more gracious, for 'tis a vice to[2201] know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be[2201] 85 lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess:[2201] 'tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.[2201][2202]
Osr. Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I[2203] should impart a thing to you from his majesty.
Ham. I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit.[2204] 90 Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for the head.[2205]
Osr. I thank your lordship, it is very hot.[2206]
Ham. No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is northerly.
Osr. It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. 95
Ham. But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot, or my[2207][2208] complexion--[2208]
Osr. Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as 'twere,--I[2209] cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me[2210] signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head:[2211] 100 sir, this is the matter--[2212]
Ham. I beseech you, remember--[2213]
[Hamlet moves him to put on his hat.
Osr. Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith.[2214] Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute[2215] gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very[2215][2216] 105 soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of[2215][2217] him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find[2215][2218] in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.[2215][2219]
Ham. Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;[2215] though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the[2215][2220] 110 arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect[2215][2221] of his quick sail. But in the verity of extolment, I take[2215] him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such[2215][2222] dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his[2215] semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his[2215] 115 umbrage, nothing more.[2215]
Osr. Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.[2215]
Ham. The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the[2215][2223] gentleman in our more rawer breath?[2215]
Osr. Sir?[2215][2224] 120
Hor. Is't not possible to understand in another tongue?[2215][2225] You will do't, sir, really.[2215][2226]
Ham. What imports the nomination of this gentleman?[2215]
Osr. Of Laertes?[2215][2227]
Hor. His purse is empty already; all's golden words[2215] 125 are spent.[2215]
Ham. Of him, sir.[2215][2228]
Osr. I know you are not ignorant--[2215][2229]
Ham. I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it[2215] would not much approve me. Well, sir?[2215][2230] 130
Osr. You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is--[2215][2231]
Ham. I dare not confess that, lest I should compare[2215] with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to[2215][2232] know himself.[2215]
Osr. I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation[2215][2233] 135 laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed.[2215][2234]
Ham. What's his weapon?
Osr. Rapier and dagger.
Ham. That's two of his weapons: but, well.
Osr. The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary[2235] 140 horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six[2236] French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hanger, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very[2237] dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit. 145
Ham. What call you the carriages?
Hor. I knew you must be edified by the margent ere[2238] you had done.[2238]
Osr. The carriages, sir, are the hangers.[2239]
Ham. The phrase would be more germane to the[2240] 150 matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides: I would[2241] it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses[2242] against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages; that's the French bet against the[2243][2244] Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it?[2244][2245] 155
Osr. The king, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen[2246] passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you[2247] three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would[2248] come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer. 160
Ham. How if I answer 'no'?
Osr. I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
Ham. Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his[2249] majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me; let the[2249][2250] 165 foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the king hold[2251] his purpose, I will win for him an I can; if not, I will gain[2252] nothing but my shame and the odd hits.
Osr. Shall I redeliver you e'en so?[2253]
Ham. To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature[2254] 170 will.
Osr. I commend my duty to your lordship.[2255]
Ham. Yours, yours. [Exit Osric.] He does well to[2256] commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn.[2257]
Hor. This lapwing runs away with the shell on his[2258] 175 head.
Ham. He did comply with his dug before he sucked[2259] it. Thus has he--and many more of the same breed that[2260] I know the drossy age dotes on--only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty[2261][2262] 180 collection, which carries them through and through the most[2261] fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to[2263] their trial, the bubbles are out.[2264]
Enter a Lord.[2265]
Lord. My lord, his majesty commended him to you by[2265] young Osric, who brings back to him, that you attend him[2265][2266] 185 in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play[2265] with Laertes, or that you will take longer time.[2265]
Ham. I am constant to my purposes; they follow the[2265] king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or[2265] whensoever, provided I be so able as now.[2265] 190
Lord. The king and queen and all are coming down.[2265]
Ham. In happy time.[2265]
Lord. The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment[2265][2267] to Laertes before you fall to play.[2265][2268]
Ham. She well instructs me. [Exit Lord.[2265][2269] 195
Hor. You will lose this wager, my lord.[2270]
Ham. I do not think so; since he went into France, I have been in continual practice; I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my[2271] heart: but it is no matter. 200
Hor. Nay, good my lord,--[2272]
Ham. It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving[2273] as would perhaps trouble a woman.[2273]
Hor. If your mind dislike any thing, obey it. I will[2274] forestal their repair hither, and say you are not fit. 205
Ham. Not a whit; we defy augury: there is special[2275] providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to[2276] come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all; since no man has[2277][2278] aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? Let 210 be.[2278]
Enter KING, QUEEN, LAERTES, and Lords, OSRIC and other Attendants with foils and gauntlets; a table and flagons of wine on it.[2279]
King. Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.[2280]
[The King puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's.
Ham. Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong;[2281] But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.[2282] This presence knows,[2282][2283][2284] 215 And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd[2283][2284][2285] With sore distraction. What I have done,[2283][2284][2286] That might your nature, honour and exception[2284][2287] Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.[2284] Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:[2284] 220 If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,[2284] And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,[2284] Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.[2284] Who does it then? His madness: if't be so,[2284][2288] Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;[2284][2289] 225 His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.[2284] Sir, in this audience,[2284][2290] Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts, That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,[2291] 230 And hurt my brother.[2292]
Laer. I am satisfied in nature, Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most To my revenge: but in my terms of honour I stand aloof, and will no reconcilement, Till by some elder masters of known honour[2293] 235 I have a voice and precedent of peace,[2294] To keep my name ungored. But till that time[2295] I do receive your offer'd love like love[2296] And will not wrong it.
Ham. I embrace it freely,[2297][2298] And will this brother's wager frankly play.[2298] 240 Give us the foils. Come on.[2299]
Laer. Come, one for me.
Ham. I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,[2300] Stick fiery off indeed.[2301]
Laer. You mock me, sir.
Ham. No, by this hand.[2302] 245
King. Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin[2303][2304] Hamlet,[2303] You know the wager?
Ham. Very well, my lord;[2305][2306] Your grace has laid the odds o' the weaker side.[2306][2307]
King. I do not fear it; I have seen you both:[2308] But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.[2309] 250
Laer. This is too heavy; let me see another.[2310][2311]
Ham. This likes me well. These foils have all a length?[2310][2312]
[They prepare to play.
Osr. Ay, my good lord.
King. Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.[2313] If Hamlet give the first or second hit,[2314] 255 Or quit in answer of the third exchange,[2315] Let all the battlements their ordnance fire; The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath; And in the cup an union shall he throw,[2316] Richer than that which four successive kings 260 In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;[2317] And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,[2318] The trumpet to the cannoneer without,[2319] The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth,[2320] 'Now the king drinks to Hamlet.' Come, begin;[2321] 265 And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
Ham. Come on, sir.
Laer. Come, my lord. [They play.[2322]
Ham. One.
Laer. No.
Ham. Judgement.
Osr. A hit, a very palpable hit.[2323]
Laer. Well; again.
King. Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;[2324] Here's to thy health.
[Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.[2325]
Give him the cup. 270
Ham. I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile.[2326] Come. [They play.] Another hit; what say you?[2327]
Laer. A touch, a touch, I do confess.[2328]
King. Our son shall win.
Queen. He's fat and scant of breath.[2329] Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows:[2330] 275 The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
Ham. Good madam!
King. Gertrude, do not drink.[2331]
Queen. I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.[2332]
King. [Aside] It is the poison'd cup; it is too late.[2333]
Ham. I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.[2334] 280
Queen. Come, let me wipe thy face.
Laer. My lord, I'll hit him now.[2335]
King. I do not think't.
Laer. [Aside] And yet it is almost against my conscience.[2333][2336]
Ham. Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;[2337] I pray you, pass with your best violence; 285 I am afeard you make a wanton of me.[2338]
Laer. Say you so? come on. [They play.[2339]
Osr. Nothing, neither way.
Laer. Have at you now!
[Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes.[2340]
King. Part them; they are incensed.
Ham. Nay, come, again. [The Queen falls.
Osr. Look to the queen there, ho![2341] 290
Hor. They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?[2342]
Osr. How is't, Laertes?[2343]
Laer. Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;[2344] I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.[2345]
Ham. How does the queen?
King. She swounds to see them bleed.[2346] 295
Queen. No, no, the drink, the drink,--O my dear Hamlet,--[2347] The drink, the drink! I am poison'd. [Dies.[2347][2348]
Ham. O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd:[2349] Treachery! seek it out.
Laer. It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;[2350] 300 No medicine in the world can do thee good,[2351] In thee there is not half an hour of life;[2352] The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,[2353] Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practice[2354] Hath turn'd itself on me; lo, here I lie,[2355] 305 Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:[2356] I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.[2357]
Ham. The point envenom'd too![2358][2359][2360] Then, venom, to thy work. [Stabs the King.[2358][2360][2361]
All. Treason! treason! 310
King. O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.
Ham. Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,[2362] Drink off this potion: is thy union here?[2363] Follow my mother. [King dies.[2364]
Laer. He is justly served;[2365] It is a poison temper'd by himself.[2365][2366] 315 Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,[2367] Nor thine on me! [Dies.[2368]
Ham. Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.[2369] I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu![2370] 320 You that look pale and tremble at this chance, That are but mutes or audience to this act,[2371] Had I but time--as this fell sergeant, death,[2372] Is strict in his arrest--O, I could tell you--[2372][2373] But let it be. Horatio, I am dead; 325 Thou livest; report me and my cause aright[2374] To the unsatisfied.
Hor. Never believe it:[2375] I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:[2376] Here's yet some liquor left.
Ham. As thou'rt a man,[2377][2378] Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.[2377][2379] 330 O good Horatio, what a wounded name,[2380] Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me![2381] If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, Absent thee from felicity awhile,[2382] And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, 335 To tell my story. [March afar off, and shot within.[2383] What warlike noise is this?
Osr. Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,[2384] To the ambassadors of England gives[2385][2386][2387] This warlike volley.[2386]
Ham. O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:[2388] 340 I cannot live to hear the news from England; But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice; So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,[2389] Which have solicited. The rest is silence. [Dies.[2390] 345
Hor. Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,[2391] And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! [March within.[2392] Why does the drum come hither?
Enter FORTINBRAS, and the English Ambassadors, with drum, colours, and Attendants.[2393]
Fort. Where is this sight?
Hor. What is it you would see?[2394] If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.[2395] 350
Fort. This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,[2396] What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,[2397] That thou so many princes at a shot[2398] So bloodily hast struck?
First Amb. The sight is dismal;[2399] And our affairs from England come too late: 355 The ears are senseless that should give us hearing. To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd, That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead: Where should we have our thanks?
Hor. Not from his mouth Had it the ability of life to thank you:[2400] 360 He never gave commandment for their death.[2401] But since, so jump upon this bloody question,[2402] You from the Polack wars, and you from England,[2403] Are here arrived, give order that these bodies High on a stage be placed to the view;[2404] 365 And let me speak to the yet unknowing world[2405] How these things came about: so shall you hear Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,[2406] Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters, Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,[2407] 370 And, in this upshot, purposes mistook Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I Truly deliver.
Fort. Let us haste to hear it, And call the noblest to the audience.[2408] For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune: 375 I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,[2409] Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.[2410]
Hor. Of that I shall have also cause to speak,[2411] And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more:[2412] But let this same be presently perform'd,[2413] 380 Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance[2414] On plots and errors happen.[2415]
Fort. Let four captains Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;[2416] For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royally: and, for his passage,[2417] 385 The soldiers' music and the rites of war[2418] Speak loudly for him. Take up the bodies: such a sight as this[2419] Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.[2420] Go, bid the soldiers shoot. 390
[A dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the bodies: after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.[2421]
FOOTNOTES:
[1962] ACT V. SCENE I.] Q (1676) and Rowe. om. Ff.
A churchyard.] Capell. A Church. Rowe.
Enter ...] Enter ... spades and mattocks. Q (1676) and Rowe. Enter two Clownes. Qq Ff (Clowns. F₃ F₄).
[1963] First Clo.] 1 Clown. Rowe. Clowne, or Clown, or Clow. or Clo. Qq Ff.
[1964] that] Ff. when she Qq.
[1965] Sec. Clo.] 2 Clown. Rowe. Other, or Othe. or Oth. Qq. Other. Ff.
[1966] and] Ff. om. Qq.
[1967] she] he Q₆.
[1968] se offendendo] Ff (in italics). so offended Qq.
[1969] to act] Qq. an act Ff.
[1970] and to perform: argal,] and to performe; argall Ff (perform F₃ F₄). to performe, or all; Qq.
[1971] hear] here F₂.
delver] Qq. Delver F₁ F₂. Delver (in italics) F₃ F₄.
[1972] Here] Clown, here Johnson.
[1973] this] his F₃.
[1974] himself] himsele F₁.
[1975] that;] that: Q₆. that, Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. that? Ff.
[1976] ha'] F₃ F₄. ha The rest, have Q (1676).
on't] Ff. an't Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. ant't Q₆.
[1977] out o'] Edd. (Globe ed.) out a Qq. out of Ff. without Q (1676).
[1978] say'st:] say'st true: S. Walker conj. say'st sooth: or say'st somewhat: Anon. conj.
[1979] their even Christian] Ff. theyr even Christen Qq. we Q(1676). other Christians Rowe.
[1980] spade.] spade. [strips, and falls to digging. Capell.
[1981] A'] A Qq. He Ff.
[1982] Sec. Clo. Why ... arms?] Omitted in Qq.
[1983] a heathen] heathen Capell conj.
[1984] not] om. Warburton.
[1985] thyself--] thy selfe-- F₁ F₂. thy self-- F₃ F₄. thy selfe. Qq.
[1986] frame] Ff. om. Qq.
[1987] carpenter?] Ff Q₆. carpenter. The rest.
[1988] Enter ...] Ff. Enter Hamlet and Horatio. Qq, after line 62.
[1989] that] Ff. om. Qq.
last] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₄. lasts Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂ F₃.
till] tell Q₄. tel Q₅.
[1990] to Yaughan] Ff (Yaughan in italics). in, and Qq. to Youghan Rowe (ed. 2). to Yaughan's Capell conj. to Vaughan Singer (ed. 1). to tavern Grant White conj. to Johan Anon. conj. (N. and Q.) to yᵉ ale and Anon. conj. to yon Collier (Collier MS.) See note (XXXI).
[1991] stoup] F₄. stope (Q₁). stoupe F₁. stoape F₂. stoap F₃. soope Qq.
[Exit Sec. Clown.] Exit 2 Clown. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.
[He digs, and sings.] Rowe. Song. Qq. Sings. Ff.
[1992] contract, O,] contract-a Anon. conj.
time] om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
for-a] for a Qq Ff. for, ah, Capell. for aye Mason conj.
[1993] there-a was nothing-a] there a was nothing a Qq. there was nothing Ff. there was nothing so Hanmer.
[1994] of] in Q (1676).
[1995] that he sings at] Ff. a sings in Qq. he sings in Q (1676) and Capell. he sings at Steevens (1778).
[1996] in him] to him Pope (ed. 2).
[1997] daintier] dintier Q₂ Q₃.
[1998] [Sings] Clowne sings. Ff. Song. Qq.
[1999] steps ... shipped me intil the] steps ... into his band Johnson conj. sand ... shifted me into his Jennens conj.
[2000] claw'd] Pope. clawed Qq. caught Ff.
[2001] hath] om. Capell.
intil] intill Ff. into Qq.
the land] his land Hanmer.
[2002] had never] never had F₃ F₄. ne'er had Pope.
[Throws up a skull.] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[2003] it were] Ff. twere Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. t'were Q₅. 'twere Q₆.
[2004] It might] Ff. This might Qq.
[2005] now o'er-reaches] now ore-reaches Qq. o're Offices F₁. ore-Offices F₂. o're-Offices F₃. o're-offices F₄.
[2006] would] Qq. could Ff.
God] Heaven Q (1676).
[2007] sweet lord] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. my lord Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
sweet lord] Qq. good lord Ff.
[2008] such-a-one] such a one's Hanmer.
[2009] when he meant] Ff. when a ment Q₄. when a meant Q₅ Q₆. when a went Q₂ Q₃.
beg it] beg him Q (1676).
[2010] now] now 'tis Rowe.
[2011] chapless] F₃ F₄. chaplesse F₁ F₂. choples Qq.
mazzard] F₂ F₃ F₄. mazard F₁. massene Q₂ Q₃. mazer Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2012] fine] a fine Q (1676) and Pope (ed. 2).
an] Capell. and Qq. if Ff.
[2013] loggats] loggits Qq. loggets F₁ F₂ F₃. loggers F₄.
with 'em?] Ff. with them: Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. with them? Q₆.
[2014] For and] For,--and Theobald.
[2015] [Throws ...] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[2016] may] Qq. might Ff.
[2017] of] of of F₁.
quiddities] Qq. quiddits Ff.
quillits] (Q₁) Ff. quillites Q₂ Q₃. quillities Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2018] rude] Ff. madde Q₂ Q₃. mad Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2019] action] actions Q₅ Q₆.
[2020] is this ... recoveries] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2021] fine dirt] foul dirt S. Walker conj.
[2022] his vouchers] Ff. vouchers Qq.
[2023] double ones too] Ff. doubles Qq.
[2024] lands] land Q₆.
hardly] Ff. scarcely Qq.
[2025] calf-skins] calve-skinnes Q₄ F₁ F₂ F₃. calve-skins Q₅ Q₆ F₄. calves-skinnes Q₂ Q₃.
[2026] which] Qq. that Ff.
[2027] sirrah] Q₆. sirra Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. sir Ff.
[2028] Mine ... made] As in Ff. Mine sir, or a ... made. (as one line) in Qq.
[2029] [Sings] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[2030] For ... meet.] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
guest] ghost Rowe (ed. 2) and Pope.
[2031] it be] it Q₅. it's Q₆.
[2032] 'tis] Q₆. tis Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. it is Ff.
[2033] and yet] Ff. yet Qq.
it is] it's Q (1676).
[2034] away] om. Q₆.
[2035] undo] Q₆. undoo Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. undoe F₁. follow F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2036] this] Qq. these Ff.
taken] Ff. tooke Qq.
note] notice Q (1676).
[2037] picked Qq Ff. piqued Q (1676).
that] and F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2038] heel] heeles F₁.
the courtier] (Q₁) Qq. our courtier Ff. your courtier Grant White conj.
kibe] kibes Hunter conj.
[2039] a] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. om Q₂ Q₃.
[2040] all] Ff. om. Qq.
[2041] o'ercame] o'recame F₁ F₃ F₄. orecame F₂. overcame Qq.
[2042] that very] Qq. the very Ff.
[2043] that is] Qq. that was Ff.
[2044] a' ... a' ... a'] a ... a ... a Qq. he ... he ... he Ff.
[2045] 'tis] Q₆. tis Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. it's F₁ F₃ F₄. its F₂.
[2046] him there; there the men are] him there, there the men are Q₂ Q₃. him there, there the are men Q₄. him there, there are men Q₅ Q₆. him, there the men are Ff.
[2047] I have] where I have Q (1676).
sexton] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆ F₄. sexten Q₂ Q₃. sixeteene F₁. sexestone F₂. sexstone F₃.
[2048] here] om. Q (1676).
[2049] I'faith] Ifaith Ff. Fayth Q₂ Q₃. Faith The rest.
[2050] a' ... a' ... a'] a ... a ... a Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. he ... he ... he Ff. a ... he ... a Q₆.
[2051] now-a-days] Ff. om. Qq.
[2052] you nine year] you nine yeares F₂ F₃. you nine years F₄.
[2053] so] om. F₃ F₄.
[2054] a'] a Qq. he Ff.
your] you Rowe (ed. 2).
[2055] Here's ... in the] Ff. heer's a skull now hath lyen you i'th Qq. Here's a skull now has lain in the Pope.
[2056] three and twenty] Ff. 23. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₆. twenty three Q₅.
[2057] A ... was?] Two lines in Ff.
[2058] a'] a Qq Ff. he Q (1676) and Pope.
[2059] This same skull, sir] As in Qq. Twice in Ff.
[2060] Yorick's] Ff. sir Yoricks Qq.
[2061] Let me see] Ff. Omitted in Qq. [Takes the skull.] Capell (line 170). Transferred by Dyce. om. Qq Ff.
[2062] borne] Ff. bore Qq.
[2063] and now how] Qq. and how Ff.
[2064] in my ... it is] Qq. my imagination is Ff. my imagination is now Rowe.
[2065] gambols] jests Q (1676).
[2066] on a roar] in a roar Pope.
Not one] Qq. No one Ff.
[2067] grinning] Qq. jeering Ff.
[2068] chamber] (Q₁) Ff. table Qq.
[2069] favour] savour Warburton.
[2070] o'] Ff. a Qq.
[2071] so? pah] Q₆. so pah Q₂ Q₃. so: pah Q₄ Q₅. so? Puh Ff.
[Puts down ...] Collier. Throws it down. Capell. Smelling to the Scull. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.
[2072] we may] way we S. Walker conj.
[2073] he] Ff. a Qq.
find] found Jennens.
[2074] thither] F₂ Q₆ F₃ F₄. thether The rest.
[2075] as thus:] (Q₁) Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2076] returneth] returned Collier (Collier MS.)
[2077] into] Ff. to Qq.
[2078] that loam ... was] this earth ... was or that loam ... may have been Seymour conj.
[2079] Imperious] Qq. Imperiall F₁ F₂. Imperial F₃ F₄.
[2080] Should] Shoulp Q₄. Sould Q₅.
to expel] t' expell Qq F₁ F₃ F₄. expell F₂.
winter's] Ff. waters Qq.
[2081] aside] Ff. awhile Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. a while Q₆.
Enter ...] Malone, after Capell. Enter K. Q. Laertes and the corse. Qq (in margin) (King Quee. Q₄ Q₅. King, Que. Q₆). Enter King, Queene, Laertes, and a Coffin, with Lords attendant. Ff.
[2082] SCENE II. Pope.
who is this] Qq. Who is that F₁. Who is't that F₂. What is't that F₃ F₄. What is that Pope.
[2083] rites] Qq F₁. rights F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2084] its] Q₆. it's F₃ F₄. it The rest.
of] Qq. om. Ff.
[2085] Couch we] Stand by Q (1676).
we] me Rowe (ed. 2).
[Retiring ...] Capell. om. Qq Ff.
[2086] [to the Priests. Capell.
[2087] [to Horatio. Capell.
That ... mark.] Prose in Qq Ff. Verse by Capell, ending the line Laertes.
very] most Pope, reading as verse.
mark] F₃ F₄. marke Q₂ Q₃ F₁ F₂. make Q₄ Q₅. om. Q₆.
[2088] First Priest.] 1. P. Capell. Priest. Ff. Doct. Qq.
[2089] as far] so far Theobald (ed. 2).
[2090] warranty] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. warrantie Q₂ Q₃ F₂ F₃ F₄. warrantis F₁. warrantize Capell conj. warranties Knight. warrantise Dyce.
[2091] unsanctified] unsanctied F₂ F₃.
have] Ff. been Q₂ Q₃. beene Q₄. bin Q₅ Q₆.
[2092] trumpet] trump Pope.
prayers] Qq. prayer Ff.
[2093] Shards] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
pebbles] Q₆ F₃ F₄. peebles The rest.
[2094] allow'd] Qq. allowed Ff.
crants] Crants Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Rites Ff Q₆. chants Warburton. grants or wants or pants Edwards conj. (in jest). grants Heath conj.
[2095] strewments] 'struments Edwards conj. (in jest).
[2096] there] om. Pope.
[2097] a requiem] Qq. sage requiem Ff. safe requiem Jackson conj. sad requiem Collier MS. such requiem Dyce. false requiem Anon. conj.
[2098] peace-parted] peace-departed F₃ F₄.
[Coffin lay'd in. Capell.
[2099] [Scattering flowers] Johnson. om. Qq Ff.
Sweets ... farewell] Sweets to the sweet, farewell Qq. Sweets to the sweet farewell F₁ F₂. Sweets, to thee sweet farewell F₃ F₄.
[2100] shouldst] would'st F₃ F₄.
[2101] have] Qq. t'have Ff.
treble woe] Q₂ Q₃ Q₆. trebble woe Q₄ Q₅. terrible woer F₁. terrible wooer F₂ F₃ F₄. treble woes S. Walker conj.
[2102] treble] F₃ F₄. trebble F₁ F₂. double Qq. treble woes Rowe, reading line 234 as F₂ F₃ F₄.
cursed] curs'd Rowe.
[2103] ingenious] ingenuous Q₆.
[2104] [Leaps into the grave.] F₄. Leaps in the grave. F₁ F₂ F₃. om. Qq.
[2105] To o'ertop] To'retop Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. To retop Q₅. T'oretop Q₆.
[2106] [Advancing] Capell. Discovering himself. Pope. om. Qq Ff.
[2107] grief Bears] griefe Beares Qq. griefes Beares F₁ F₂. griefs Bears F₃. griefs Bear F₄.
[2108] Conjures] Conjure F₁.
[2109] This is] tis Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2110] [Leaps ...] Hamlet leaps ... Rowe. Hamlet leapes in after Leartes. (Q₁). om. Qq Ff.
[Grappling ...] Rowe. om. Qq Ff.
[2111] Thou ... throat] Divided as in Ff. One line in Qq.
[2112] For] Qq. Sir Ff.
splenitive] Warburton. spleenitive or spleenative Qq Ff. spleneticke Collier MS. See note (II).
and] Ff Q₆. om. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2113] in me something] Qq. something in me Ff.
[2114] wisdom] wisedome Qq. wisenesse F₁ F₂. wiseness F₃ F₄.
Hold off] Qq. Away Ff.
hand.] hand, Q₂ Q₃. hand? Q₄ Q₅.
[2115] All. Gentlemen,--] Att. Gentlemen,-- Capell. All. Gentlemen. Qq. Omitted in Ff.
Hor.] Hora. Qq. Gen. Ff.
[The Attendants ...] Capell, substantially. The Attendants part them. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.
[2116] this] his Rowe.
[2117] their] there F₁.
[2118] 'Swounds] S'wounds Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Swounds Q₆. Come Ff.
thou'lt] Ff. th' owt Q₂ Q₃. th' out Q₄ Q₅. thou't Q₆.
[2119] Woo't] Wilt (Q₁) Q (1676).
[2120] woo't fast] Qq. om. Ff.
fast? woo't] storm, woo't Collier MS. storme or Collier MS. apud Hamilton.
[2121] drink up ... crocodile?] drink? ape, esel, crocodile! Becket conj.
eisel] Theobald. vessels (Q₁). Esill Qq. Esile (in italics) Ff. Yssel Keightley (Theobald conj.) Nile Hanmer. Elsil (in italics) Capell. Nilus Elze (Capell conj.) Weisel or Oesil Steevens conj. Isell Halliwell conj.
eat] woo't eat Hanmer. or eat Hanmer as misquoted by Johnson.
[2122] I'll do't] I'll do't, I'll do't Collier MS. I'll do it too Anon. conj.
thou] Ff Q₆. om. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
here] hither F₃ F₄. hither but Pope.
[2123] in] in to F₄. into Rowe.
grave?] Ff Q₆. grave, The rest.
[2124] zone] sun Warburton.
[2125] an] Pope. and Qq Ff.
[2126] Queen.] Quee. Qq. Kin. F₁. King. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2127] Queen ... Anon] King ... him. Queen. Anon Collier (Collier MS.)
[2128] thus] this Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2129] the] a Q₅ Q₆.
dove] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. doe Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2130] When that] When first Q (1676). E'er that Warburton. Ere that Johnson. Ere yet Johnson conj.
couplets] cuplets Qq. cuplet Ff.
[2131] loved] loud' F₁.
ever] well Q₆.
[2132] and dog] a dogge Q₄ Q₆. a dog Q₅. the dog Theobald (ed. 2).
[Exit.] Ff. Exit Hamlet and Horatio. Qq.
[2133] thee] Qq. you Ff.
[Exit Horatio.] Exit Hor. Pope. om. Ff.
[2134] [To Laertes] Rowe. om. Qq Ff.
your] you F₁ F₂.
[2135] An] In an Keightley.
shortly] Ff. thirtie Q₂. thereby Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2136] Till] Tell Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2137] SCENE II.] Rowe. SCENE III. Pope. om. Ff.
A hall ...] Capell. A Hall. Pope. A Hall, in the Palace. Theobald.
[2138] sir] om. Pope.
shall you] Qq. let me Ff.
[2139] circumstance?] Theobald. circumstance. Qq Ff.
[2140] methought] my thought Q₂ Q₃. me thought The rest.
[2141] mutines in the] mutineers in the Rowe. mutineers in Pope.
bilboes.] bilboes; Rowe. bilboes, Ff. bilbo, Q₂ Q₃. bilbo's, Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2142] Rashly, And praised ... it, let] rashly, And praysd ... it: let Qq. rashly, (And praise ... it) let Ff. rashness (And prais'd ... it) lets Pope. rashness (And prais'd ... it) let Hanmer (ed. 2). rashly, And prais'd ... it--Let Steevens.
[2143] rashness for it, let] rashness, for it lets Tyrwhitt conj., putting And ... certain, lines 7-11, in a parenthesis.
[2144] let ... will.] Put in a parenthesis by Jennens.
[2145] know, Our] know; Or Warburton, reading lines 6, 7 as Pope. own, Our Collier MS.
[2146] sometime] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. sometimes Q₅ Ff Q₆.
[2147] deep] Q₅ Q₆. deepe Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. deare F₁ F₂. dear F₃ F₄.
pall] Q₂ F₄. fall Q₃ Q₄ Q₆. fal Q₅. paule F₁ F₂ F₃. fail Pope.
learn] Qq. teach Ff.
[2148] scarf'd] wrapt Q (1676).
me, in the dark] me, in the darke Q₆. me in the darke Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. me in the darke, Ff (dark, F₃ F₄).
[2149] Groped I] I grop'd Q (1676).
[2150] again; making so] againe making, so Q₅.
[2151] bold, My ... manners,] bold, (My ... manners) Ff. _bold My ... manners_ Qq.
[2152] fears] teares F₂ F₃. tears F₄.
unseal] F₃ F₄. unseale F₁ F₂. unfold Qq.
[2153] O] Oh Ff. A Qq. Ah Anon. conj.
O royal knavery!--] Omitted in Q (1676).
knavery!--] knavery, Qq. knavery: Ff. knavery! Rowe.
[2154] sorts] forts F₂.
reasons] Qq. reason Ff.
[2155] ho!] hoe Qq. hoo, Ff.
[2156] grinding] gringding F₂.
[2157] struck] F₁ F₃ F₄. strucke F₂. strooke Qq.
[2158] now] Qq. me F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2159] I beseech] Ay, 'beseech Capell.
[2160] villanies,--Or ... play,--I] villanies,--Or ... play;--I Capell. villaines, Or ... play, I Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. _villaines, Ere ... play. I_ Ff (villains, F₃ F₄). villaines, Or ... play: I Q₆. villainy, (Ere ... prologue, to my bane They ... play:) I Theobald (Warburton and Bishop conj.) _villains, and Ere ... brains, They having ... play; I_ Hanmer. _villains, (Ere I could mark the prologue to my bane They had ... play:) I_ Warburton.
[2161] villanies] villainy Keightley.
[2162] brains] banes Chisselden conj. apud Theobald MS.
[2163] sat] sate Ff Q₆.
[2164] labour'd] laboured F₁ F₂ F₃.
[2165] yeoman's] yemans Q₂ Q₃ Q₄.
[2166] effect] Qq. effects Ff.
[2167] like] Qq. as Ff.
might] Qq. should Ff.
[2168] stand a comma] hold her olive Bailey conj.
a comma] a commere Theobald (Warburton). no comma Theobald conj. (withdrawn). a cement Hanmer. a co-mere Singer (ed. 2). a co-mate Becket conj. a column Jackson conj. commercing Anon. conj. a comare Nicholson conj.
a comma 'tween] as one atween Cartwright conj.
amities] enmities Theobald conj. (withdrawn).
[2169] such-like 'As'es] such like Assis Ff. such like, as sir Qq.
[2170] knowing of] Qq. know of Ff. knowing Pope.
[2171] the bearers] Ff. those bearers Qq.
[2172] Not] No F₄.
shriving-time] Hyphened by Theobald. thriving time Jennens.
allow'd] Q₅ Q₆. alow'd Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. allowed Ff.
[2173] ordinant] Qq. ordinate Ff.
[2174] Folded] I folded Rowe, reading the rest of the line with Ff.
the form of the] the forme of th' Qq. forme of the Ff (form F₄).
[2175] Subscribed] Subscribe Q₂ Q₃.
gave't] Q₆. gav't Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ F₁. gav' F₂ F₃ F₄. gave Rowe.
[2176] changeling] change was Pope. changing Anon. conj.
[2177] sequent] Qq. sement Ff. sequell Collier MS.
[2178] know'st] Ff Q₆. knowest Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2179] So ... go] Pointed as in Qq. So ... Rosincrance, go F₁. So Guildenstare and Rosincros, goe F₂ F₃ (go F₃). So, Guildenstare and Rosincross, go F₄.
go] went Q (1676).
[2180] Why ... employment;] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2181] defeat] Qq. debate Ff.
[2182] Does] Q₅ Q₆. Dooes Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Doth Ff.
[2183] the baser] Qq F₁. baser F₂ F₃ F₄.
the baser ... comes] baser natures come Hanmer.
[2184] fell incensed] fell-incensed Dyce, ed. 2 (S. Walker conj.)
[2185] thinks't thee] Dyce (S. Walker conj.) thinkst thee F₁. think'st thee F₂ F₃ F₄. thinke thee Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. think thee Q₅. think you Q₆. think'st thou Rowe.
upon--] Boswell. uppon? Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. upon? Q₅ Q₆. upon F₁ upon, F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2186] my king] your king Anon. conj.
[2187] Popp'd] Stept Q (1676).
[2188] Thrown ... life] His angle for my proper life thrown out Collier MS.
[2189] cozenage--] Boswell. cusnage, Q₂ Q₃. cosnage, Q₄ Q₅. coozenage; F₁. cozenage; F₂ F₃ F₄. cosenage, Q₆.
conscience,] conscience? Qq.
[2190] To quit ... here?] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2191] this] F₁. his F₂ F₃ F₄.
this arm] his own Collier MS.
and] om. Hanmer.
[2192] evil?] Rowe. evill. F₁ F₂. evil. F₃ F₄.
[2193] It will ... Horatio] Arranged as by Hanmer. Three lines, ending short, ... more ... Horatio, in Ff. Four, ending short ... more ... one ... Horatio, in Pope.
[2194] interim is] Hanmer. interim's Ff.
[2195] life's] life Reed (1803, 1813, 1821).
'One'] one Ff.
[2196] court his favours] Rowe. count his favours Ff. court his favour Theobald. count his fervour Jackson conj.
[2197] Enter Osric.] Enter young Osricke. F₁. Enter Osricke. F₂. Enter Osrick. F₃ F₄. Enter a Courtier. Qq.
[2198] SCENE IV. Pope.
[2199] Osr.] Ff. Cour. Qq.
[2200] I humbly ... water-fly?] One line in Ff. Two in Qq.
sir. Dost] Pointed as in Qq. sir, dost F₁ F₂. sir; dost F₃ F₄.
[2201] Dost ... dirt.] Marked as 'Aside' by Capell.
[2202] 'tis] It is Johnson.
chough] cough Capell (corrected in Errata).
say] saw F₁.
[2203] lordship] Q₅ Q₆. lordshippe Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. friendship Ff.
[2204] sir] Qq. om. Ff.
[2205] Put] Ff. om. Qq.
[2206] it is] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. 'tis Ff Q₆.
[2207] But yet] Qq. om. Ff.
sultry] Rowe. soultry Q₄ Q₅ Ff Q₆. sully Q₂ Q₃.
[2208] hot, or my complexion--] Warburton. hot, or my complection. Q₂ Q₃. hot, or my complexion. Q₄ Q₅. hot for my complexion. Ff. hot, for my complexion. Q₆.
[2209] sultry] soultery Q₂ Q₃. soultry The rest.
[2210] But] om. Qq.
bade] bid F₄. bad The rest.
[2211] to you] unto you Q₆.
he] Ff. a Qq.
[2212] matter--] Rowe. matter. Qq Ff.
[2213] remember--] Pope. remember. Qq Ff.
[Hamlet ... hat.] Johnson. om. Qq Ff.
[2214] good my lord] Qq. in good faith Ff.
[2215] Sir, here ... unfellowed.] Qq. Sir, you are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is at his weapon. Ff, omitting all the rest, which was first restored by Theobald.
[2216] gentleman] gentlemen Q₂ Q₃.
[2217] showing] shew Q (1676) and Theobald.
feelingly] sellingly Q₂ Q₃. seelingly Becket conj.
[2218] the card] the very card Capell.
[2219] in him] him Johnson conj.
part] parts Nicholson conj.
part ... see] port ... use Anon. conj.
[2220] dizzy] dizzie Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. dosie Q₂. dazzie Q₃.
[2221] yet but yaw] Q₂. yet but raw Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. yet but slow Warburton. it but yaw Singer (ed. 2). wit but yaw Staunton conj.
yaw neither] yaw mynheer Bullock conj., reading wit for yet, as Staunton conj.
[2222] article] altitude Johnson conj. (withdrawn).
[2223] sir? why] Capell. sir, why Qq. sir?--[To Horatio] Why Theobald.
wrap] warp Becket conj.
[2224] Sir?] Capell. Sir. Qq. Sir,--Theobald.
[2225] Is't not ... another tongue?] Is't possible not to be understood in a mother tongue? Johnson conj. It is not ... another tongue. Heath conj. Is't possible not to understand in a mother tongue? Malone conj.
understand ... tongue? You] understand? In another tongue you Jennens.
in another] in's mother Staunton conj.
tongue?] Theobald. tongue, Qq.
[2226] You ... really] You will too't sir really Q₂. You will doo't sir really Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. You will doe't sir really Q₆. You will do't, sir, rarely Theobald. You do't, sir, rarely Heath conj. Given to Osric, Becket conj.
really] readily Jackson conj., reading the rest with Jennens.
[2227] Laertes?] Q₆. Laertes. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2228] sir.] sir? Capell.
[2229] ignorant--] Theobald, ignorant. Qq.
[2230] me. Well, sir?] Edd. (Globe ed.) me, well sir. Qq. _me. Well, sir._ Theobald.
[2231] not ignorant] Q₂ Q₃. ignorant Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
is--] Malone. is: Capell. is. Qq. is at his weapon? Caldecott, from Ff.
[2232] but,] for, Capell.
[2233] for his] Q₆. for this Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2234] in his] in this Capell.
[2235] king, sir] sir king F₁.
hath wagered] hath wagerd Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. hath wager'd Q₆. ha's wag'd F₁. has wag'd F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2236] he has imponed] Theobald. hee has impaund Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. he has impawn'd Q₆. he impon'd Ff. he has deponed Johnson conj.
[2237] hanger] Qq. hangers Ff.
and so] Qq. or so Ff.
[2238] Hor. I knew ... done.] Qq. Omitted in Ff. Marked as 'Aside' by Theobald.
[2239] carriages] Ff Q₆. carriage The rest.
[2240] germane F₃ F₄. Germaine F₁. Germane F₂. Ierman Q₂ Q₃ German Q₄ Q₅. german Q₆.
[2241] matter if] Qq. matter: If Ff
a cannon] Qq (a canon Q₅). cannon Ff.
[2242] it might be] it be Q₂. it be might Q₃.
on:] Pope. on F₁. on, The rest.
[2243] French bet] Qq. French but F₁. French, but F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2244] French ... Why] French; but against the Danish, why Rowe.
[2245] this 'imponed,' as] this impon'd as Ff. this all Qq.
[2246] sir, that] Qq. that Ff.
[2247] yourself] your selfe Qq. you Ff.
[2248] he ... nine;] An interpolation from the margin, Mitford conj.
laid on] Q₅ Q₆. layd on Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. one Ff. won or on Mitford conj.
nine] Qq. mine Ff.
it] Qq. that Ff.
[2249] hall: if ... majesty, it] hall; if ... majestie, it Ff. hall, if ... maiestie, it Qq. hall, if ... majesty: it Seymour conj.
[2250] it is] Qq. 'tis Ff.
[2251] hold] holding Capell.
[2252] an] Capell. and Qq. if Ff.
I will] Qq. Ile F₁ F₂. I'le F₃. I'll F₄. I Collier MS. See note (II).
[2253] redeliver you e'en so] Ff. deliver you so Qq.
[2254] this] that Capell.
[2255] [Exit. F₂ F₃ F₄. om. Qq F₁.
[2256] Yours, yours. [Exit Osric.] He does] Capell. Yours, yours; he does Ff (hee F₁). Yours doo's Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Yours does Q₆. Yours. He does Jennens.
[2257] it himself] it self Q (1676), reading with Qq.
for's] for his Q₅ Q₆.
turn] turne Qq. tongue Ff.
[2258] runs] ran Johnson conj.
[2259] He did comply with] Ff (Complie F₁). A did sir with Q₂. A did so sir with Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. He did so, sir, with Q (1676) and Theobald. He did so with Rowe. He did complement with Hanmer. He did compliment with Warburton.
before he] Ff. before a Qq.
[2260] has he] Qq. had he Ff.
many] Qq. mine F₁. nine F₂ F₃ F₄.
breed] Q₅ Q₆. breede Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Beauy F₁. Beavy F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2261] and outward] Ff. and out of an Qq. an outward Capell.
and ... a] and (out of an habit of encounter) a Jennens.
yesty] Ff. histy Q₂ Q₃. misty Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. hasty Anon. conj.
and outward ... a kind] and out of the habit of encounter get a kind Bailey conj.
[2262] collection] diction Bailey conj.
[2263] fond and winnowed] Ff. prophane and trennowed Q₂ Q₃. prophane and trennowned Q₄. profane and trennowned Q₅ Q₆. prophane and renowned Q (1676). fann'd and winnowed Hanmer (Warburton). sane and renowned Johnson conj. profane and tres-renowned Jennens. sound and winnowed Mason conj. fond and vinewed or fond and fennowed Nicholson conj. proven and renowned Bullock conj.
profound and renowned Bailey conj.
[2264] trial] triall Qq. tryalls F₁ F₂. tryals F₃ F₄.
[2265] Enter ... instructs me.] Qq. Omitted in Ff.
[2266] Osric] Ostricke Qq.
[2267] to use] use S. Walker conj. reading lines 192--195 as three lines of verse, ending use ... Laertes ... me.
[2268] fall] Q₂ Q₃. goe Q₄ Q₆. go Q₅.
[2269] [Exit Lord.] Theobald, om. Qq Ff.
[2270] lose this wager] Ff. loose Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. lose Q₆.
[2271] But] but Ff. om. Qq.
how ill all's] Qq. how all Ff. how all's Rowe. how ill all is Collier MS. (how ill is all according to Hamilton).
[2272] good my] my good Theobald (ed. 2).
lord,--] Capell. lord. Qq Ff.
[2273] gain-giving] Ff. gam-giuing Q₂ Q₃. game-giuing Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. boding Q (1676). misgiving Pope (ed. 2). 'gaingiving Capell.
[2274] obey it] Qq. obey. Ff.
[2275] there is] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. there's a Ff. there is a Q₆.
[2276] now] Ff. om. Qq.
[2277] will] well Q₂ Q₃.
[2278] the readiness ... Let be.] See note (XXXII).
[2279] Enter ...] Ff, substantially. A table prepard, Trumpets, Drums and officers with Cushions, King, Queene, and all the state, Foiles, daggers, and Laertes. Qq.
Osric and other Attendants....] Osrick with other Attendants.... Theobald. with other Attendants.... Ff.
[2280] [The King ...] Gives him the hand of Laertes. Hanmer. King puts the hand of Laertes into the hand of Hamlet. Johnson. om. Qq Ff.
[2281] I've] Ff. I have Qq.
[2282] But ... knows,] As in Ff. One line in Qq. S. Walker would end lines 213, 214, pardon't ... knows.
[2283] This ... done] Three lines, ending heard ... distraction ... done, in Rowe.
[2284] This ... audience,] Omit, as spurious. Seymour conj.
[2285] punish'd] punished Rowe (ed. 2).
[2286] sore] Ff. a sore Qq.
distraction.] distraction: Q₄ Q₅. distraction, Q₂ Q₃. distraction; Q₆. distraction? Ff.
[2287] nature, honour] Qq. nature honour F₁. natures honour F₂ F₃ F₄. native honour Anon. conj.
[2288] madness:] madnesse. Qq. madnesse? F₁ F₂. madness? F₃ F₄.
[2289] wrong'd] Ff. wronged Qq.
[2290] Sir ... audience,] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2291] mine] (Q₁) Ff. my Qq.
[2292] brother] (Q₁) Qq. mother Ff.
[2293] masters] master S. Walker conj.
[2294] precedent] Johnson. president Qq Ff.
[2295] keep] F₃ F₄. keepe F₁ F₂. om. Qq.
ungored] ungord Q₂ Q₃. ungor'd Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. ungorg'd Ff.
till] Ff. all Qq.
[2296] offer'd] offered Q₅ Q₆.
[2297] I] Qq. I do F₁ F₃ F₄. I doe F₂.
[2298] I ... play] Divided as in Ff. Prose in Qq.
[2299] Come on.] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2300] darkest] Qq F₁. brightest F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2301] Stick ... indeed] Appear Q (1676).
Stick] {Strike} Keightley.
off] Ff Q₆. of The rest.
[2302] by this hand] on my honour Q (1676).
[2303] Give ... wager?] Divided as in Qq. Two lines, the first ending Osricke, in Ff.
[2304] them] Qq F₁. om. F₂ F₃ F₄.
Osric] Ostricke Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. Ostrick Q₅ Q₆.
Cousin] om. Pope, dividing as Ff.
Hamlet] Ham. Q₄ Q₅.
[2305] wager?] Capell. wager. Qq Ff.
Very well] Well Pope.
[2306] lord; Your ... laid the] lord, Your ... laid; the Heath conj.
[2307] has] Qq. hath Ff.
laid] layed Q₂ Q₃. layde Q₄. laide F₁.
the odds o' the] upon the Hanmer.
o' the] o' th' F₄. a' th Qq. a' th' F₁ F₂ F₃.
[2308] I do ... both] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
[2309] But] 'Tis true he did neglect his exercises, But Keightley conj.
he is] he's Pope.
better'd] Ff. better Qq.
we] you Capell.
[2310] This is ... length?] Two lines in Qq. Four in Ff.
[2311] too] Ff Q₆. to Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2312] have] have have F₂.
length?] Rowe. length. Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ Ff. length Q₆.
[They prepare....] Prepare.... Ff. Omitted in Qq. Prepares.... Rowe (ed. 2).
[2313] stoups] stoopes Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. stooops Q₅ Q₆. stopes Ff.
that] the Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2314] give] gives Theobald.
[2315] of the third] of a third F₃ F₄. to the third Q (1703).
[2316] union] Ff. Vnice Q₂. Onixe Q₃ Q₄. Onix Q₅. Onyx Q₆.
[2317] In ... cups] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
[2318] trumpet] Qq. trumpets Ff.
[2319] trumpet] trumpets F₃ F₄.
[2320] heaven to] Q₂ Q₃ Ff. heavens to Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2321] 'Now ... Hamlet.'] Italicised by Capell.
[Trumpets the while. Qq. om. Ff.
[2322] Come, my lord.] Qq. Come on sir. Ff. So on, sir Rowe (ed. 2).
[They play.] Ff. om. Qq.
[2323] palpable] palbable Q₆.
[2324] Stay ... thine;] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
[2325] [Trumpets ...] Malone. Drum, trumpets and shot. Florish, a peece goes off. Qq (after hit, line 268). Trumpets sound, and shot goes off. F₁ (after cup). Trumpets sound, shot goes off. F₂ F₃ F₄ (after cup). Drinks, and puts Poison in the Cup. Flourish. Ordinance within. Capell.
[2326] set it] Qq. set Ff.
[2327] Come.] Come: Ff. Come, Qq.
[They play.] Rowe. om. Qq. Ff.
[2328] A touch, a touch,] Ff. Omitted in Qq.
confess] confest Qq. confess't Q (1676) and Capell.
[2329] fat] faint Wyeth conj. hot Brady conj.
[2330] Here ... napkin] Qq. Heere's a napkin F₁. Here's a napkin F₂ F₃ F₄.
rub] wipe Q₆.
Here ... brows:] Here is a napkin, rub thy brows, my son. Collier MS.
[2331] Good] Thank you, good Capell.
Gertrude] Gertrude, Gertrude Keightley.
[2332] I will ... me.] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
[Drinks. Hanmer. Drinks, and tenders the Cup to Hamlet. Capell.
[2333] [Aside] First marked by Rowe.
[2334] I ... by.] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
[2335] My lord,] om. Pope.
[2336] it is ... against] Qq. 'tis ... 'gainst Ff. 'tis ... against Q (1676).
[2337] Come ... dally;] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
third, Laertes: you] Steevens. third, Laertes. You Johnson. third Laertes, you doe Qq. third. Laertes, you Ff.
[2338] afeard] F₃ F₄. affear'd F₁. affeard F₂. sure Qq. afraid Rowe.
[2339] [They play.] Play. Ff. om. Qq.
[2340] [Laertes ... Laertes.] Rowe. They catch one anothers Rapiers, and both are wounded, Laertes falles downe, the Queene falles downe and dies. (Q₁). In scuffling they change Rapiers. Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2341] come, again.] come, againe. F₁. come againe. Qq F₂. come again. F₃ F₄.
[The Queen falls.] Queen falls. Capell. om. Qq Ff.
there, ho!] there.--Ho! Staunton. See note (XXXIII).
ho] Q₆. hoa Ff. howe Q₂ Q₃. hoe Q₄ Q₅.
[2342] is it] Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. is't Ff Q₆.
[2343] How is't, Laertes?] Host ist Laeres? Q₄.
[2344] Why ... Osric;] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
to mine] in my Q (1676) and Hanmer.
mine own] mine F₁. my F₂ F₃ F₄. my own Pope.
springe] Q₅. sprindge The rest.
Osric] Ostrick Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. Ostricke Q₆.
[2345] I am] I'm Pope.
[2346] swounds] F₃ F₄. sounds Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ F₁ F₂. swounes Q₆.
[2347] O my ... drink!] Arranged as in Qq. One line in Ff.
[2348] poison'd] F₃ F₄. poysned Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. poyson'd F₁ F₂. poysoned Q₆.
[Dies.] Queen dies. Rowe. om. Qq Ff.
[2349] villany] villaine Q₅ Q₆.
Ho!] Ho Q₆. how Q₂ Q₃. Hoe Q₄ Q₅. How? Ff. _How?--_Jennens.
[2350] It is ... slain;] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
Hamlet: Hamlet] Hamlet. Hamlet Ff. Hamlet Qq.
[2351] medicine] Ff Q₆. medcin Q₂ Q₃ Q₄. medecine Q₅.
[2352] hour of] Ff. houres Qq.
[2353] thy hand] Ff Q₆. my hand Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2354] Unbated] Imbaited Theobald conj. (withdrawn).
[2355] lo,] so Q (1676).
[2356] poison'd] F₃ F₄. poyson'd F₁ F₂ Q₆. poysned Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅.
[2357] can] am Q₅ Q₆.
to blame] too blame Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅ F₁.
[2358] The ... work.] As in Ff. One line in Qq.
[2359] The point envenom'd] The point--envenom'd Staunton.
[2360] envenom'd ... work.] One line in Keightley.
[2361] to thy] do thy Theobald (ed. 2).
[Stabs the King.] Rowe. Hurts the King. Ff. Omitted in Qq.
[2362] Here] Heare Q₂ Q₃.
Here ... Dane,] One line in Qq. Two, the first ending murdrous, in Ff.
incestuous] Ff Q₆. incestious The rest.
murderous] murdrous F₁ F₂. murd'rous F₃ F₄. om. Qq.
[2363] off this] Ff Q₆. of this The rest.
thy union] (Q₁) Ff. the Onixe Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. the Onyx Q₆. the union Theobald.
[2364] [King dies.] om. Qq.
[2365] He ... himself.] As in Ff. One line in Qq.
[2366] temper'd] Q₆. temperd Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. temp'red Ff.
[2367] upon] on Theobald.
[2368] me!] me. Qq Ff.
[Dies.] om. Qq.
[2369] thee free] the free Theobald.
[2370] I am] I'm Pope.
[2371] to this] Qq F₁. at this F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2372] time--as ... arrest--O] time, (as ... arrest) oh Ff Q₆. time, as ... arrest, ô Q₂ Q₃. time as ... arrest. O Q₄ Q₅.
[2373] his] Qq F₁. this F₂ F₃ F₄.
you--] Pope. you, Q₂ Q₃ F₂ F₃ F₄. you! Q₄ Q₅. you. F₁. you; Q₆.
[2374] cause aright] Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. cause a right Q₂ Q₃. causes right Ff.
[2375] the] be F₃ F₄.
Never believe] Never; believe Hanmer.
[takes the cup. Collier MS. See note (II).
[2376] I am] I'm Pope.
antique] Q₆. anticke Q₂ Q₃. antike Q₄ Q₅ F₁ F₂. antick F₃ F₄.
[2377] As ... have't.] Divided as in Qq. The first line ends cup, in Ff.
[2378] thou'rt] Capell. th'art Qq. Ff.
[2379] by heaven,] om. Q (1676).
have't] F₁ F₂. hate Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. hav't Q₆ F₃ F₄.
[Struggling, Hamlet gets it. Collier MS. See note (II).
[2380] good Horatio] Ff. god Horatio Q₂ Q₃. God Horatio Q₄ Q₅ Q₆. God!--Horatio Capell.
[2381] live] Ff. I leave Qq. leave Grant White.
[2382] [firings within. Capell.
[2383] story] tale Pope.
[March ... shot within.] Steevens. March afarre off, and shout within. Ff. A march a farre off. Qq. Omitted by Capell.
this?] this? [Exit Osrick. Jennens.
[Enter Osrick. Qq Ff. Omitted first by Capell.
[2384] SCENE VI. Pope.
[2385] To the] To th' Q₂ Q₃ Ff. Th th' Q₄. Th' Q₅ Q₆.
[2386] To ... volley.] Divided as in Pope. One line in Qq Ff.
[2387] ambassadors] ambassador Hanmer.
[2388] quite] quie F₂.
o'er-crows] ore-growes Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2389] and less] or less F₄.
[2390] solicited.] Ff. solicited, Q₂ Q₃ Q₄ Q₅. solicited: Q₆. _solicited,--_Capell. _so limited--_Jackson conj.
solicited. The.... Hor. Now] solicited--[Dies.] Hor. The ... silence. Now Anon. conj.
is silence] is in silence Q₆. in silence Q (1676).
silence.] Qq. silence. O, o, o, o. F₁. silence, O, o, o, o, F₂. silence, O, o, o. F₃ F₄.
[Dies.] Ff. om. Qq.
[2391] Now ... prince,] One line in Qq. Two in Ff.
cracks] cracke F₁.
sweet prince] be blest Collier MS.
prince] prience F₂.
[2392] flights] flight Q₅ Q₆. choires Q (1676).
sing] singe Q₄ Q₅. wing Warburton.
[March within.] Capell (after line 348). om. Qq Ff.
[2393] Enter....] Theobald. Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassador, ... Ff. Enter Fortenbrasse, with the Embassadors. Qq (Fortinbrasse Q₄ Q₅ Q₆).
[2394] this] the F₃ F₄.
you] Qq. ye Ff.
[2395] search.] search? Q₆.
[2396] This] Qq. His Ff.
cries on] cries out, Hanmer. cries,--on Jackson conj.
proud] prou'd Q₂ Q₃.
[2397] thine eternal] thine infernall Q₆. thy infernal Theobald.
[2398] shot] Qq. shoote F₁. shoot F₂ F₃ F₄.
[2399] struck] Rowe. strook Q₂ Q₃ F₃ F₄. strooke Q₄ Q₅ F₁.
First Amb.] 1. E. Capell. Embas. Qq. Amb. Ff.
[2400] life] breath Q (1676).
[2401] commandment] commandement Qq. command'ment Ff.
[2402] jump] apt Q (1676). full Pope.
[2403] Polack] F₃ F₄. Pollack Q₂ Q₃ Q₆. Pollock Q₄ Q₅. Polake F₁ F₂.
[2404] the view] publick view Q (1676).
[2405] to the yet] to th' yet Q₄ Q₅ Ff Q₆. to yet Q₂ Q₃.
[2406] carnal] cruell Q₄ Q₅ Q₆.
[2407] deaths] death's F₁ F₂.
forced cause] forc'd cause Ff. for no cause Qq.
[2408] noblest] nobless Q (1676) and Pope (ed. 2).
[2409] rights] Qq. Rites Ff.
[2410] Which ... me.] One line in Qq. Two, the first ending doth, in Ff.
now to] Qq. are to Ff.
vantage] interest Q (1676).
[2411] shall have also] Qq. shall have alwayes F₁. shall alwayes F₂ F₃. shall always F₄. shall likewise have Long MS.
[2412] And ... more:] One line in Qq. Two, the first ending mouth, in Ff.
on more] Ff. no more Qq.
[2413] same] scene Collier (Collier MS.)
[2414] Even ... mischance] One line in Qq. Two, the first ending wilde, in Ff.
while] Qq. whiles Ff.
[2415] plots and] Qq. plots, and Ff.
[2416] to the] off the F₃ F₄.
[2417] To ... passage,] One line in Qq. Two, the first ending royally: in Ff.
royally] Ff. royall Qq.
[2418] rites] Ff. right Qq. rights Q (1676).
[2419] bodies] Qq. body Ff.
[2420] amiss] amisse Qq. amis F₁. ami ess F₂.
[2421] [A dead march.] Capell.
Exeunt....] Exeunt solemnly,.... Capell. Exeunt. Qq. Exeunt Marching: after the which, a Peale of Ordenance are shot off. Ff (after which F₃ F₄. Ordnance F₂ F₃ F₄).
NOTES.
NOTE I.
ACT I. SCENE I. In this play the Acts and Scenes are marked in the Folios only as far as the second Scene of the second Act, and not at all in the Quartos.
NOTE II.
I. 1. 91. This and other emendations of the MS. corrector, not recorded by Mr Collier, are given on the authority of Mr Hamilton (An Enquiry into the Genuineness of the MS. Corrections in Mr J. Payne Collier's annotated Shakespeare, pp. 34--85).
NOTE III.
I. 3. 74. The following are the readings of the different editions and the emendations which have been proposed for this line:
'Are of a most select and generall chiefe in that:' (Q₁).
'Or of a most select and generous, chiefe in that:' Q₂ Q₃.
'Ar of a most select and generous, cheefe in that:' Q₄.
'Are of a most select and generous, chiefe in that:' Q₅ Q₆.
'Are of a most select and generous cheff in that.' Ff.
'Are most select and generous, chief in that.'
Rowe, Pope, Theobald, Hanmer, Warburton, Johnson, Capell, Steevens (1793), Rann, Caldecott, Singer, Harness, Delius, &c.
'Are most select, and generous, chief in that.' Steevens (1773).
'Are most select, and generous chief, in that.'
Steevens (1778 and 1785).
'Are of a most select and generous chief, in that.' Malone.
'Select and generous, are most choice in that.' Steevens conj.
'Are of a most select and generous choice in that.'
Collier MS., adopted by Elze, Collier, ed. 2, and Keightley.
'Are of a most select and generous sheaf in that.' Staunton.
'Are most select and generous in that.' Grant White.
'Are of a most select and generous class in that.' Bullock conj.
'Are of a most select and generous choice.' Lloyd conj.
NOTE IV.
I. 3. 109. The second and third Quartos include the words 'not ... thus' in a parenthesis. In the fourth, fifth, and sixth, the parenthesis ends at 'phrase;' an arrangement, which was adopted by Pope and corrected by Theobald at Warburton's suggestion. The Folios have no parenthesis.
NOTE V.
I. 3. 117. Malone conjectured that some epithet to 'blazes' has been omitted; and Coleridge 'did not doubt that a spondee had dropt out of the line.' He proposed either 'Go to, these blazes, daughter,' or 'these blazes, daughter, mark you.' Notes and Lectures, 1. p. 220 (ed. 1849).
NOTE VI.
I. 4. 36, 37. We have left this corrupt passage unaltered because none of the conjectures proposed appear to be satisfactory.
Rann, reading in his text:
'The dram of base Doth all the noble substance of worth out To his own scandal....'
gives some conjectures, without naming the authors, in a note thus: 'Doth all, &c. oft corrupt: oft work out: eat out: By it's own scandal.'
The first of these alterations, 'oft corrupt,' anticipates one which Mitford published as his own, and the third, 'eat out,' is borrowed from the author of 'the Revisal' (Heath).
Mr Grant White suggests that "the corruption lurks in a part of the passage hitherto unsuspected, and that 'Doth' is either a misprint of 'Hath,' or has the sense of 'accomplishes.'" Mr Keightley reads,
'The dram of evil Doth all the noble substance, out o' doubt, To his own scandal....'
marking the sentence as incomplete.
NOTE VII.
I. 4. 61. Steevens says 'The first Folio reads--remote.' We have not been able to find this reading in any copy of that edition which we have consulted. Sir Frederic Madden has kindly collated for us the four copies in the British Museum, all of which have 'remoued.' This is also the reading of Capell's copy, of Malone's, and of two others to which we have had access, and it is the reading in Mr Booth's reprint.
NOTE VIII.
I. 5. 80. 'A very learned lady,' probably Mrs Montagu, suggested to Johnson that this line 'O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible!' should be given to Hamlet, and it is said that Garrick adopted this suggestion when he played Hamlet. Rann appears to be the first editor who put it in his text. Mr Verplanck and Mr Hudson have followed his example.
In the Quarto of 1603, (Q₁), the Ghost says 'O horrible, most horrible!' and Hamlet interrupts with 'O God!'
NOTE IX.
I. 5. 113-116. The second Quarto followed by the rest reads thus:
'Enter Horatio, and Marcellus.
Hora. My Lord, my Lord.
Mar. Lord Hamlet.
Hora. Heauens secure him.
Ham. So be it.
Mar. Illo, ho, ho, my Lord.'
The Folios have:
'Hor. & Mar. within. My Lord, my Lord.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Mar. Lord Hamlet.
Hor. Heauen secure him.
Mar. So be it.
Hor. Illo, ho, ho, my Lord.'
Capell first transferred the stage direction 'Enter Horatio and Marcellus' to follow line 117, and added the direction 'within' to all the previous speeches. In this he has been followed by Steevens (1778) and all subsequent editors. As however the first Quarto, which was taken down probably during the representation of the play, puts the words Enter Horatio, and Marcellus opposite 'My Lord, my Lord,' it is probable that they really entered at that place but were supposed, it being night-time, not to be seen by Hamlet till they were close to him.
Capell followed the Quartos in assigning 'So be it' to Hamlet.
NOTE X.
I. 5. 157-160. The second Quarto followed substantially by the rest reads thus:
'Come hether Gentlemen, And lay your hands againe vpon my sword, Sweare by my sword Neuer to speak of this that you haue heard.'
The first Folio has:
'Come hither Gentlemen, And lay your hands again upon my sword, Neuer to speake of this that you have heard: Sweare by my Sword.'
The following Folios put a full stop after 'sword' in the second line.
Capell, taking the order of words from the Quartos, arranged as three lines, thus:
'Come hither, gentlemen, and lay your hands Again upon my sword; Swear by my sword, Never to speak of this that you have heard.'
The first Quarto supports the order of the words as found in the Folio. Perhaps we might follow it and arrange the words of the Folio in three lines ending 'hands' ... 'speak' ... 'sword.'
NOTE XI.
II. 1. 79. Theobald, who is followed by Hanmer, Warburton, and Johnson, reads 'loose' for 'foul'd,' on the authority as he says of 'the elder Quartos.' It is not the reading of any of the first six, but of those of 1676, 1683, 1695 and 1703. Had Capell been aware of this, he would scarcely have designated Theobald's mistake as 'a downright falsehood.' Theobald, at the time of writing his 'Shakespeare Restored,' knew of no Quarto earlier than that of 1637 (Shakespeare Restored, p. 70), and it is just possible that some copy of this edition (Q₆), from which that of 1676 was printed, may have had the reading 'loose.' We have given in the note to III. 4. 59 an instance of different readings in two copies of Q₆.
NOTE XII.
II. 2. 111, 112. In the Quartos Polonius's comment, 'that's an ill phrase ...,' is printed in italics like the letter, and there is some confusion in the next line. The second, third, fourth and fifth have 'but you shall heare: thus in her excellent white bosom, these &c.' The sixth puts a comma after 'heare.' In the Folios these last words are printed in Roman type as if they were part of Polonius's comment, thus: 'but you shall heare these in her excellent white bosome, these.'
Rowe printed: 'but you shall hear--These to her excellent white bosom, these--'
The succeeding editors followed Rowe, down to Capell who restored the word 'in' for 'to.' The reading and punctuation of our text was first given substantially by Jennens, and adopted by Malone.
NOTE XIII.
II. 2. 123. In the fourth and fifth Quartos the word 'Hamlet,' in italics, is by mistake printed not at the end of the letter but opposite to the first line of Polonius's speech.
NOTE XIV.
II. 2. 169. The Quartos have 'Enter Hamlet' after 'try it,' line 166, and 'Exit King and Queene' after the words 'both away,' line 168. The Folios have 'Enter Hamlet, reading on a Booke' after 'try it,' line 166, and 'Exit King & Queen' after 'presently,' line 169. The Quartos put commas at 'presently,' and 'leave,' reading 'Ile ... leave' as one line; the Folios put full stops, reading 'Oh give me leave. How does my good Lord Hamlet?' as one line.
The earlier editors down to Johnson inclusive made no change.
Capell supposed the words 'O, give me leave' to be addressed, not to Hamlet, but to the King and Queen, whose Exeunt he placed after these words. His arrangement has been followed by all subsequent editors, till we ventured, in the Globe edition, to recur to the old order. It appears to us that the words 'O, give me leave,' commencing with an exclamation, are more naturally addressed to Hamlet than to the King and Queen, with whom Polonius had been previously conversing.
Mr Dyce transferred the entrance of Hamlet to follow the Exeunt of the King and Queen, line 169. As in the first Quarto he is made to enter earlier, it is possible that he was in sight of the audience, though so intent on his book as not to observe the presence of the others.
NOTE XV.
II. 2. 564. Capell quotes 'braves' as the reading of the Quarto of 1605. His own copy has 'braines.' That in the British Museum reads 'braues.'
NOTE XVI.
III. 1. 86. In this doubtful passage we have retained the reading of the Quartos, although the players' Quartos of 1676, 1683, 1695, 1703, have, contrary to their custom, followed the Folios, which may possibly indicate that 'pith' was the reading according to the stage tradition.
NOTE XVII.
III. 2. 156, 157. Jennens prints in brackets the line of the Quartos which we have omitted, and conjectures, as Johnson had done before him, that a line is lost either before or after it, which should rhyme to 'love.' As in the Quartos the line 'For women feare too much, even as they love,' occurs at the top of a page, the omission is more likely to have been caused by a line having dropped out at the foot of the previous page. Mr Keightley marks the omission of a line after 'love.' Malone supposes that the 'Either none' of the Quartos in line 158 was the commencement of the lost line, which he suggests may have run as follows:
'Either none they feel, or an excess approve.'
Steevens proposes to retain the omitted line, reading 'lust' for 'love,' making a triplet rhyme with the preceding lines.
The Quarto probably gives us the author's first thought, incomplete, as well as the lines which he finally adopted, as they stand in the Folio. The thought will hardly bear to be expanded over four lines.
NOTE XVIII.
III. 2. 329. Mason conjectured that the words 'To withdraw with you' were spoken to the players whom Hamlet wished to get rid of, and proposed to read 'So, withdraw you,' or 'So withdraw, will you?' Malone adds the stage direction 'Taking Guil. aside.' Steevens supposes that the words 'To ... you' "may refer to some gesture which Guildenstern had used, and which, at first was interpreted by Hamlet into a signal for him to attend the speaker into another room. 'To withdraw with you?' (says he) 'Is that your meaning?'" Mr Staunton, agreeing substantially with Mason, proposes to read 'So,--[taking a recorder] withdraw with you.' He adds that the disputed words may have been intended to mark the departure of the players. Jackson (1819) proposed the same reading and explanation, adding a stage direction, 'To the Players, who exit.'
If the reading and punctuation given in our text be right, the words seem to be addressed to Guildenstern. Mr Knight, however, suggests that 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have intimated, by some signal, that they wish to speak with Hamlet in private.'
NOTE XIX.
III. 2. 366--371. In this passage we have followed the distribution of the Folios. In the Quartos it stands thus:
'They foole me to the top of my bent, I will come by and by, Leaue me friends. I will, say so. By and by is easily said, 'Tis now &c.'
In the Quarto of 1676 the words 'I will come ... said' are marked in inverted commas to indicate that they were omitted by the actors. Pope following the arrangement of the Quartos, reading 'I will say so' with the Quarto of 1676.
NOTE XX.
III. 4. 4. We have adopted Hanmer's correction 'sconce' for 'silence' because in the corresponding passage of the first Quarto Polonius says: 'I'le shrowde my selfe behinde the Arras.' The Quartos of 1676, 1683, 1695 and 1703 give 'I'll here conceal my self.'
In the Quarto of 1603 there is also a trace of the following speech of Hamlet, omitted in the subsequent Quartos but given in the Folios.
NOTE XXI.
III. 4. 51, 52. This speech is properly given to the Queen in the Folios, but is printed as prose. The second Quarto has:
'Quee. Ay me, what act?
Ham. That roares so low'd, and thunders in the Index, Looke heere &c.'
This is followed by the subsequent Quartos, except the sixth, which has a colon at 'Index.' Warburton adopts the distribution of the Quartos, but alters the second line thus:
'Ham. That roars so loud, it thunders to the Indies.'
NOTE XXII.
III. 4. 71. The reading 'stoop' for 'step' is found in manuscript in the margin of a copy of the Quarto of 1637, which has been kindly lent us by Dr Ingleby. The other readings in this play referred to as 'Anon. conj. MS.' or 'Anon. MS.' are from the same source.
NOTE XXIII.
IV. 1. 40--44. In the second and third Quartos these lines stand literatim as follows:
'And whats vntimely doone, Whose whisper ore the worlds dyameter, As leuell as the Cannon to his blanck, Transports his poysned shot, may misse our Name, And hit the woundlesse ayre, ô come away, My soule &c.'
The later Quartos, including those of 1676, 1683, 1695, and 1703, spelling apart, have the same reading.
In the first Folio, followed substantially by the rest, we find only these words:
'And what's vntimely done. Oh come away, My soule &c.'
Rowe, Pope, Hanmer and Warburton followed the Folios.
Theobald first adopted the text of the Quartos. In his Shakespeare Restored, p. 108, he had suggested 'Happily, slander,' or 'Happily, rumour;' in his edition he supplied the blank thus:
'And what's untimely done. For, haply, Slander (Whose whisper &c.'
Hanmer, in his copy of Theobald's edition, erased the passage with a pen.
Johnson, and Steevens in his editions of 1773, 1778 and 1785, followed Theobald.
Capell filled the hiatus by 'So, haply, slander,' and was followed by Steevens (1793) and most modern editors. Mason seems not to have consulted Capell's edition, for in 1788 he puts forward this reading as a conjecture of his own.
Malone (1790) read: 'So viperous slander.'
Mr Staunton proposes 'Thus calumny,' but in his text follows Capell.
'Malice' or 'Envy,' in the sense in which it is often used by Shakespeare, would suit the passage as well as 'Slander.'
NOTE XXIV.
IV. 2. 1--3. The second and third Quartos begin the scene thus:
'Ham. Safely stowd, but soft, what noyse, who calls on Hamlet?'
The fourth and fifth have 'softly' for 'soft.'
The Folios have:
'Ham. Safely stowed.
Gentlemen within. Hamlet, Lord Hamlet.
Ham. What noise? Who cals on Hamlet?'
In the players' Quarto of 1676, and the following editions, which otherwise adhere to the reading of the old Quartos, the words 'but soft' are omitted. They omit also 'on'.
Capell gives:
'HAM.---- Safely stow'd. But, soft;
ROS. &c. [within.] Hamlet! lord Hamlet!
HAM. What noise? who calls on Hamlet? O, here they come.'
The arrangement adopted in our text was first given by Malone.
NOTE XXV.
IV. 5. 14--16. The Quartos have:
'Hora. Twere good she were spoken with, for shee may strew Dangerous coniectures in ill breeding mindes, Let her come in.'
The Folios,
'Qu. 'Twere good she were spoken with, For she may strew dangerous coniectures In ill breeding minds. Let her come in.'
Rowe followed the Folios; Pope, Theobald, Warburton and Capell, the Quartos. Hanmer continues the lines ''Twere good ... minds' to the Gentleman who had spoken the previous lines, and gives 'Let her come in &c.' to the Queen. Johnson follows Hanmer's distribution of the speeches, but substitutes 'Hor.' for 'Gent.' in lines 2 and 4; the arrangement proposed by Blackstone. Steevens (1773) assigned the speech ''Twere good ... spilt' (14--20) to Horatio, but restored it to the Queen in his next edition. Mr Grant White follows the Folios in giving the whole Speech to the Queen, but marks ''Twere good ... minds' as spoken aside, and 'Let ... in' 'To Hor.'
NOTE XXVI.
IV. 5. 148. In the Quartos the passage is thus printed:
'A noyse within.
Enter Ophelia.
Laer. Let her come in. How now, what noyse is that?'
In the Folios:
'A noise within. Let her come in.
Enter Ophelia.
Laer. How now? what noise is that?'
Rowe followed the Folios, Pope the Quartos, reading 'Let ... that?' as one line. Theobald first transferred the stage direction, Enter Ophelia, to follow the first line of Laertes's speech.
NOTE XXVII.
IV. 5. 163. Capell was the first to print these words as not forming part of the song. In the Folios they are printed like the former lines in italics. As there is no change of type in the Quartos, it is impossible to say on which side their authority is. There is a comma after 'teare' (or 'tear') in all the Quartos and Folios, except the sixth Quarto, which has a full stop.
NOTE XXVIII.
IV. 5. 166. Ophelia's speech, or song, is printed as three lines in the Quarto, thus:
'Oph. You must sing a downe a downe, And you call him a downe a. O how the wheele becomes it, It is the false Steward that stole his Maisters daughter.'
It is printed as prose in the Folios; beginning, 'You must sing downe a-downe, &c.' There is no indication that any part was meant to be sung.
Johnson first printed 'You must sing ... call him a-down-a' in italics, as a snatch of song. Steevens (1778) put 'Down a down, as you call him a-down-a' in italics, a reading suggested by Capell's text, where 'Down' begins with a capital letter. The late Mr John Taylor, in a copy of the second Variorum edition (1813) now in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, has made the following note. "Ophelia gives the song without the Burthen first, and then she instructs them 'You must sing a-down a-down, and you (speaking to another) call him a-down-a."
NOTE XXIX.
IV. 5. 195. In the Folios Ophelia's song is printed in Italics, and the words 'And ... you' in Roman type, 'God buy ye' being in a separate line. In the second and third Quartos the whole is printed in Roman type, and ends thus:
'God a mercy on his soule, and of all Christians soules, God buy you.'
We have indicated in the foot-note how the later Quartos differ from the earlier.
NOTE XXX.
IV. 7. 139. Pope in his second edition says that 'one edition has it, embaited or envenomed.' We have not been able to find this reading in any copy, but Theobald (Shakespeare Restored, p. 119) conjectured 'imbaited.' As this conjecture is not mentioned in his edition, we have here, as in other cases, recorded it as 'withdrawn.'
NOTE XXXI.
V. 1. 57, 58. Mr Collier in his first edition conjectured that 'Yaughan' might be 'a mis-spelt stage direction to inform the player that he was to yawn at this point.' Mr Staunton says, "Whether by 'Yaughan' a man or place is meant, or whether the word is a corruption, we are not qualified to determine." Mr Grant White says, "I suspect that 'Yaughan' is a misprint for 'Tavern.' But some local allusion understood at the day may lurk under it."
NOTE XXXII.
V. 2. 205, 206. The reading in the text is taken partly from the Folios and partly from the Quartos, altering however the punctuation. The second Quarto, followed substantially by the rest, has as follows:
'The readines is all, since no man of ought he leaues, knowes what ist to leaue betimes, let be.'
The first Folio, followed, except in spelling, by the rest, has:
'The readinesse is all, since no man ha's ought of what he leaues. What is't to leaue betimes?'
The Quartos of 1676, 1683, 1695 and 1703 have:
'The readiness is all, since no man of ought he leaves knows what 'tis to leave betimes, let be.'
Rowe, Pope and Theobald followed the Folios.
Hanmer:
'The readiness is all. Since no man owes aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?'
Warburton:
'The readiness is all. Since no man, of ought he leaves, knows, what is't to leave betimes? Let be.'
Johnson:
'The readiness is all. Since no man knows aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?'
Steevens (1773, 1778, 1785) and Rann adopt the reading of Johnson, adding the words 'Let be.'
Warburton's reading was followed by Capell, Malone, Steevens (1793), the Editors of the three Variorum Shakespeares, 1803, 1813, 1821, Singer, Harness and Mr Collier.
Caldecott first adopted the reading given in our text. Mr Grant White follows him.
Becket would substitute 'has thought' for 'has aught.'
Mr Keightley prints thus, marking the sentence as unfinished:
'The readiness is all. Since no man, of aught he leaves, knows what it is to leave betimes.... Let be.'
NOTE XXXIII.
V. 2. 290. Mr Staunton says, "The exclamation 'Ho!' meaning stop, should perhaps be addressed to the combatants, and not, as it is always printed, to those who are to raise the Queen."
The Tragicall Historie of
HAMLET
Prince of Denmarke.
[Sidenote: [SC. I.]]]
Enter two Centinels.
1. Stand: who is that?
2. Tis I.
1. O you come most carefully vpon your watch,
2. And if you meete Marcellus and Horatio, The partners of my watch, bid them make haste. 5
1. I will: See who goes there.
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Hor. Friends to this ground.
Mar. And leegemen to the Dane, O farewell honest souldier, who hath releeued you?
1. Barnardo hath my place, giue you good night. 10
Mar. Holla, Barnardo.
2. Say, is Horatio there?
Hor. A peece of him.
2. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus.
Mar. What hath this thing appear'd againe to night. 15
2. I haue seene nothing.
Mar. Horatio sayes tis but our fantasie, And wil not let beliefe take hold of him, Touching this dreaded sight twice seene by vs, Therefore I haue intreated him a long with vs 20 To watch the minutes of this night, That if againe this apparition come, He may approoue our eyes, and speake to it.
Hor. Tut, t'will not appeare.
2. Sit downe I pray, and let vs once againe 25 Assaile your eares that are so fortified, What we haue two nights seene.
Hor. Wel, sit we downe, and let vs heare Bernardo speake of this.
2. Last night of al, when yonder starre that's westward 30 from the pole, had made his course to Illumine that part of heauen. Where now it burnes, The bell then towling one.
Enter Ghost.
Mar. Breake off your talke, see where it comes againe.
2. In the same figure like the King that's dead, 35
Mar. Thou art a scholler, speake to it Horatio.
2. Lookes it not like the king?
Hor. Most like, it horrors mee with feare and wonder.
2. It would be spoke to.
Mar. Question it Horatio. 40
Hor. What art thou that thus vsurps the state, in Which the Maiestie of buried Denmarke did sometimes Walke? By heauen I charge thee speake.
Mar. It is offended. exit Ghost.
2. See, it stalkes away. 45
Hor. Stay, speake, speake, by heauen I charge thee speake.
Mar. Tis gone and makes no answer.
2. How now Horatio, you tremble and looke pale, Is not this something more than fantasie? 50 What thinke you on't?
Hor. Afore my God, I might not this beleeue, without the sensible and true auouch of my owne eyes.
Mar. Is it not like the King?
Hor. As thou art to thy selfe, 55 Such was the very armor he had on, When he the ambitious Norway combated. So frownd he once, when in an angry parle He smot the sleaded pollax on the yce, Tis strange. 60
Mar. Thus twice before, and iump at this dead hower, With Marshall stalke he passed through our watch.
Hor. In what particular to worke, I know not, But in the thought and scope of my opinion, This bodes some strange eruption to the state. 65
Mar. Good, now sit downe, and tell me he that knowes Why this same strikt and most obseruant watch, So nightly toyles the subiect of the land, And why such dayly cost of brazen Cannon And forraine marte, for implements of warre, 70 Why such impresse of ship-writes, whose sore taske Does not diuide the sunday from the weeke: What might be toward that this sweaty march Doth make the night ioynt labourer with the day, Who is't that can informe me? 75
Hor. Mary that can I, at least the whisper goes so, Our late King, who as you know was by Forten-Brasse of Norway, Thereto prickt on by a most emulous cause, dared to The combate, in which our valiant Hamlet, 80 For so this side of our knowne world esteemed him, Did slay this Fortenbrasse, Who by a seale compact well ratified, by law And heraldrie, did forfeit with his life all those His lands which he stoode seazed of by the conqueror, 85 Against the which a moity competent, Was gaged by our King: Now sir, yong Fortenbrasse, Of inapproued mettle hot and full, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there, 90 Sharkt vp a sight of lawlesse Resolutes For food and diet to some enterprise, That hath a stomacke in't: and this (I take it) is the Chiefe head and ground of this our watch.
Enter the Ghost.
But loe, behold, see where it comes againe, 95 Ile crosse it, though it blast me: stay illusion, If there be any good thing to be done, That may doe ease to thee, and grace to mee, Speake to mee. If thou art priuy to thy countries fate, 100 Which happly foreknowing may preuent, O speake to me, Or if thou hast extorted in thy life, Or hoorded treasure in the wombe of earth, For which they say you Spirites oft walke in death, speake to me, stay and speake, speake, stoppe it Marcellus. 105
2. Tis heere. exit Ghost.
Hor. Tis heere.
Marc. Tis gone, O we doe it wrong, being so maiesticall, to offer it the shew of violence, For it is as the ayre invelmorable, 110 And our vaine blowes malitious mockery.
2. It was about to speake when the Cocke crew.
Hor. And then it faded like a guilty thing, Vpon a fearefull summons: I haue heard The Cocke, that is the trumpet to the morning, 115 Doth with his earely and shrill crowing throate, Awake the god of day, and at his sound, Whether in earth or ayre, in sea or fire, The strauagant and erring spirite hies To his confines, and of the trueth heereof 120 This present obiect made probation.
Marc. It faded on the crowing of the Cocke, Some say, that euer gainst that season comes, Wherein our Sauiours birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long, 125 And then they say, no spirite dare walke abroade, The nights are wholesome, then no planet frikes, No Fairie takes, nor Witch hath powre to charme, So gratious, and so hallowed is that time.
Hor. So haue I heard, and doe in parte beleeue it: 130 But see the Sunne in russet mantle clad, Walkes ore the deaw of yon his mountaine top, Breake we our watch vp, and by my aduise, Let vs impart what wee haue seene to night Vnto yong Hamlet: for vpon my life 135 This Spirite dumbe to vs will speake to him: Do you consent, wee shall acquaint him with it, As needefull in our loue, fitting our duetie?
Marc. Lets doo't I pray, and I this morning know, Where we shall finde him most conueniently. 140
_Enter King, Queene, Hamlet, Leartes, Corambis, and the two Ambassadors, with Attendants._
[Sidenote: [SC. II.]]
King Lordes, we here haue writ to Fortenbrasse, Nephew to olde Norway, who impudent And bed-rid, scarcely heares of this his Nephews purpose: and Wee heere dispatch Yong good Cornelia, and you Voltemar 5 For bearers of these greetings to olde Norway, giuing to you no further personall power To businesse with the King, Then those related articles do shew: Farewell, and let your haste commend your dutie. 10
Gent. In this and all things will wee shew our dutie.
King. Wee doubt nothing, hartily farewel: And now Leartes what's the newes with you?[2422] You said you had a sute what i'st Leartes?
Lea. My gratious Lord, your fauorable licence, 15 Now that the funerall rites are all performed, I may haue leaue to go againe to France, For though the fauour of your grace might stay mee, Yet something is there whispers in my hart, Which makes my minde and spirits bend all for France. 20
King Haue you your fathers leaue, Leartes?
Cor. He hath, my lord, wrung from me a forced graunt, And I beseech you grant your Highnesse leaue.
King With all our heart, Leartes fare thee well.
Lear. I in all loue and dutie take my leaue. 25
King. And now princely Sonne Hamlet, Exit. What meanes these sad and melancholy moodes? For your intent going to Wittenberg, Wee hold it most vnmeet and vnconuenient, Being the Ioy and halfe heart of your mother. 30 Therefore let mee intreat you stay in Court, All Denmarkes hope our coosin and dearest Sonne.
Ham. My lord, ti's not the sable sute I weare: No nor the teares that still stand in my eyes, Nor the distracted hauiour in the visage, 35 Nor all together mixt with outward semblance, Is equall to the sorrow of my heart, Him haue I lost I must of force forgoe, These but the ornaments and sutes of woe.
King This shewes a louing care in you, Sonne Hamlet, 40 But you must thinke your father lost a father, That father dead, lost his, and so shalbe vntill the Generall ending. Therefore cease laments, It is a fault gainst heauen, fault gainst the dead, A fault gainst nature, and in reasons 45 Common course most certaine, None liues on earth, but hee is borne to die.
Que. Let not thy mother loose her praiers Hamlet, Stay here with vs, go not to Wittenberg.
Ham. I shall in all my best obay you madam. 50
King Spoke like a kinde and a most louing Sonne, And there's no health the King shall drinke to day, But the great Canon to the clowdes shall tell The rowse the King shall drinke vnto Prince Hamlet.
Exeunt all but Hamlet.
Ham. O that this too much grieu'd and sallied flesh 55 Would melt to nothing, or that the vniuersall Globe of heauen would turne al to a Chaos! O God within two moneths; no not two: maried,[2423] Mine vncle: O let me not thinke of it, My fathers brother: but no more like My father, then I to Hercules. Within two months, ere yet the salt of most Vnrighteous teates had left their flushing In her galled eyes: she married, O God, a beast Deuoyd of reason would not haue made 65 Such speede: Frailtie, thy name is Woman, Why she would hang on him, as if increase Of appetite had growne by what it looked on. O wicked wicked speede, to make such Dexteritie to incestuous sheetes, 70 Ere yet the shooes were olde, The which she followed my dead fathers corse Like Nyobe, all teares: married, well it is not, Nor it cannot come to good: But breake my heart, for I must holde my tongue. 75
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Hor. Health to your Lordship.
Ham. I am very glad to see you, (Horatio) or I much forget my selfe.
Hor. The same my Lord, and your poore seruant euer.
Ham. O my good friend, I change that name with you: 80 but what make you from Wittenberg Horatio? Marcellus.
Marc. My good Lord.
Ham. I am very glad to see you, good euen sirs: But what is your affaire in Elsenoure? 85 Weele teach you to drinke deepe ere you depart.
Hor. A trowant disposition, my good Lord.
Ham. Nor shall you make mee truster Of your owne report against your selfe: Sir, I know you are no trowant: 90 But what is your affaire in Elsenoure?
Hor. My good Lord, I came to see your fathers funerall.
Ham. O I pre thee do not mocke mee fellow studient, I thinke it was to see my mothers wedding.
Hor. Indeede my Lord, it followed hard vpon. 95
Ham. Thrift, thrift, Horatio, the funerall bak't meates Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables, Would I had met my deerest foe in heauen Ere euer I had seene that day Horatio; O my father, my father, me thinks I see my father, 100
Hor. Where my Lord?
Ham. Why, in my mindes eye Horatio.
Hor. I saw him once, he was a gallant King.
Ham. He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not looke vpon his like againe.
Hor. My Lord, I thinke I saw him yesternight,
Ham. Saw, who?
Hor. My Lord, the King your father.
Ham. Ha, ha, the King my father ke you.
Hor. Ceasen your admiration for a while 110 With an attentiue eare, till I may deliuer, Vpon the witnesse of these Gentlemen This wonder to you.
Ham. For Gods loue let me heare it.
Hor. Two nights together had these Gentlemen, 115 Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch, In the dead vast and middle of the night. Beene thus incountered by a figure like your father, Armed to poynt, exactly Capapea Appeeres before them thrise, he walkes 120 Before their weake and feare oppressed eies. Within his tronchions length, While they distilled almost to gelly. With the act of feare stands dumbe, And speake not to him: this to mee 125 In dreadfull secresie impart they did. And I with them the third night kept the watch, Where as they had deliuered forme of the thing. Each part made true and good, The Apparition comes: I knew your father, 130 These handes are not more like.
Ham. Tis very strange.
Hor. As I do liue, my honord lord, tis true, And wee did thinke it right done, In our dutie to let you know it. 135
Ham. Where was this?
Mar. My Lord, vpon the platforme where we watched.
Ham. Did you not speake to it?
Hor. My Lord we did, but answere made it none, Yet once me thought it was about to speake, 140 And lifted vp his head to motion, Like as he would speake, but euen then The morning cocke crew lowd, and in all haste, It shruncke in haste away, and vanished Our sight. 145
Ham. Indeed, indeed sirs, but this troubles me: Hold you the watch to night?
All We do my Lord.
Ham. Armed say ye?
All Armed my good Lord. 150
Ham. From top to toe?
All. My good Lord, from head to foote.
Ham. Why then saw you not his face?
Hor. O yes my Lord, he wore his beuer vp.
Ham. How look't he, frowningly? 155
Hor. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
Ham. Pale, or red?
Hor. Nay, verie pal
Ham. And fixt his eies vpon you.
Hor. Most constantly. 160
Ham. I would I had beene there.
Hor. It would a much amazed you.
Ham. Yea very like, very like, staid it long?
Hor. While one with moderate pace Might tell a hundred. 165
Mar. O longer, longer.
Ham. His beard was grisleld, no.
Hor. It was as I haue seene it in his life, A sable siluer.
Ham. I wil watch to night, perchance t'wil walke againe. 170
Hor. I warrant it will.
Ham. If it assume my noble fathers person, Ile speake to it, if hell it selfe should gape, And bid me hold my peace, Gentlemen, If you haue hither consealed this sight, 175 Let it be tenible in your silence still, And whatsoeuer else shall chance to night, Giue it an vnderstanding, but no tongue, I will requit your loues, so fare you well, Vpon the platforme, twixt eleuen and twelue, 180 Ile visit you.
All. Our duties to your honor. exeunt.
Ham. O your loues, your loues, as mine to you, Farewell, my fathers spirit in Armes, Well, all's not well. I doubt some foule play, 185 Would the night were come, Till then, sit still my soule, foule deeds will rise Though all the world orewhelme them to mens eies. Exit.
[Sidenote: [SC. III.]]
Enter Leartes and Ofelia.
Leart. My necessaries are inbarkt, I must aboord, But ere I part, marke what I say to thee: I see Prince Hamlet makes a shew of loue Beware Ofelia, do not trust his vowes, Perhaps he loues you now, and now his tongue, 5 Speakes from his heart, but yet take heed my sister, The Chariest maide is prodigall enough, If she vnmaske hir beautie to the Moone. Vertue it selfe scapes not calumnious thoughts, Belieu't Ofelia, therefore keepe a loofe 10 Lest that he trip thy honor and thy fame.
Ofel. Brother, to this I haue lent attentiue eare, And doubt not but to keepe my honour firme, But my deere brother, do not you Like to a cunning Sophister, 15 Teach me the path and ready way to heauen, While you forgetting what is said to me, Your selfe, like to a carelesse libertine Doth giue his heart, his appetite at ful, And little recks how that his honour dies. 20
Lear. No, feare it not my deere Ofelia, Here comes my father, occasion smiles vpon a second leaue.
Enter Corambis.
Cor. Yet here Leartes? aboord, aboord, for shame, The winde sits in the shoulder of your saile, And you are staid for, there my blessing with thee 25 And these few precepts in thy memory. "Be thou familiar, but by no meanes vulgare; "Those friends thou hast, and their adoptions tried, "Graple them to thee with a hoope of steele, "But do not dull the palme with entertaine, 30 "Of euery new vnfleg'd courage, "Beware of entrance into a quarrell; but being in, "Beare it that the opposed may beware of thee, "Costly thy apparrell, as thy purse can buy. "But not exprest in fashion, 35 "For the apparell oft proclaimes the man." And they of France of the chiefe rancke and station Are of a most select and generall chiefe in that: "This aboue all, to thy owne selfe be true, And it must follow as the night the day, 40 Thou canst not then be false to any one, Farewel, my blessing with thee.
Lear. I humbly take my leaue, farewell Ofelia, And remember well what I haue said to you. exit.
Ofel. It is already lock't within my hart, 45 And you your selfe shall keepe the key of it.
Cor. What i'st Ofelia he hath saide to you?
Ofel. Somthing touching the prince Hamlet.
Cor. Mary wel thought on, t'is giuen me to vnderstand, That you haue bin too prodigall of your maiden presence 50 Vnto Prince Hamlet, if it be so, As so tis giuen to mee, and that in waie of caution I must tell you; you do not vnderstand your selfe So well as befits my honor, and your credite.
Ofel. My lord, he hath made many tenders of his loue 55 to me.
Cor. Tenders, I, I, tenders you may call them.
Ofel. And withall, such earnest vowes.
Cor. Springes to catch woodcocks, What, do not I know when the blood doth burne, 60 How prodigall the tongue lends the heart vowes, In briefe, be more scanter of your maiden presence, Or tendring thus you'l tender mee a foole.
Ofel. I shall obay my lord in all I may.
Cor. Ofelia, receiue none of his letters, 65 "For louers lines are snares to intrap the heart; "Refuse his tokens, both of them are keyes To vnlocke Chastitie vnto Desire; Come in Ofelia, such men often proue, "Great in their wordes, but little in their loue." 70
Ofel. I will my lord. exeunt.
[Sidenote: [SC. IV.]]
Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus.
Ham. The ayre bites shrewd; it is an eager and An nipping winde, what houre i'st?
Hor. I think it lacks of twelue. Sound Trumpets.
Mar. No, t'is strucke.
Hor. Indeed I heard it not, what doth this mean my lord? 5
Ham. O the king doth wake to night, & takes his rowse, Keepe wassel, and the swaggering vp-spring reeles, And as he dreames, his draughts of renish downe, The kettle, drumme, and trumpet, thus bray out, The triumphes of his pledge. 10
Hor. Is it a custome here?
Ham. I mary i'st and though I am Natiue here, and to the maner borne, It is a custome, more honourd in the breach, Then in the obseruance. 15
Enter the Ghost.
Hor. Looke my Lord, it comes.
Ham. Angels and Ministers of grace defend vs, Be thou a spirite of health, or goblin damn'd, Bring with thee ayres from heauen, or blasts from hell: Be thy intents wicked or charitable, 20 Thou commest in such questionable shape, That I will speake to thee, Ile call thee Hamlet, King, Father, Royall Dane, O answere mee, let mee not burst in ignorance, But say why thy canonizd bones hearsed in death 25 Haue burst their ceremonies: why thy Sepulcher, In which wee saw thee quietly interr'd. Hath burst his ponderous and marble Iawes, To cast thee vp againe: what may this meane, That thou, dead corse, againe in compleate steele, 30 Reuissets thus the glimses of the Moone, Making night hideous, and we fooles of nature, So horridely to shake our disposition, With thoughts beyond the reaches of our soules? Say, speake, wherefore, what may this meane? 35
Hor. It beckons you, as though it had something To impart to you alone.
Mar. Looke with what courteous action It waues you to a more remoued ground, But do not go with it. 40
Hor. No, by no meanes my Lord.
Ham. It will not speake, then will I follow it.
Hor. What if it tempt you toward the flood my Lord. That beckles ore his bace, into the sea, And there assume some other horrible shape, 45 Which might depriue your soueraigntie of reason, And driue you into madnesse: thinke of it.
Ham. Still am I called, go on, ile follow thee.
Hor. My Lord, you shall not go.
Ham. Why what should be the feare? 50 I do not set my life at a pinnes fee, And for my soule, what can it do to that? Being a thing immortall, like it selfe, Go on, ile follow thee.
Mar. My Lord be rulde, you shall not goe. 55
Ham. My fate cries out, and makes each pety Artiue As hardy as the Nemeon Lyons nerue, Still am I cald, vnhand me gentlemen; By heauen ile make a ghost of him that lets me, Away I say, go on, ile follow thee. 60
Hor. He waxeth desperate with imagination.
Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Denmarke.
Hor. Haue after; to what issue will this sort?
Mar. Lets follow, tis not fit thus to obey him. exit.
Enter Ghost and Hamlet.
Ham. Ile go no farther, whither wilt thou leade me? 65
Ghost Marke me.
Ham. I will.
Ghost I am thy fathers spirit, doomd for a time To walke the night, and all the day Confinde in flaming fire, 70 Till the foule crimes done in my dayes of Nature Arepurged and burnt away.
Ham. Alas poore Ghost.
Ghost Nay pitty me not, but to my vnfolding Lend thy listning eare, but that I am forbid 75 To tell the secrets of my prison house I would a tale vnfold, whose lightest word Would harrow vp thy soule, freeze thy yong blood, Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres, Thy knotted and combined locks to part, 80 And each particular haire to stand on end Like quils vpon the fretfull Porpentine, But this same blazon must not be, to eares of flesh and blood Hamlet, if euer thou didst thy deere father loue.
Ham. O God. 85
Gho. Reuenge his foule, and most vnnaturall murder:
Ham. Murder.
Ghost Yea, murder in the highest degree, As in the least tis bad, But mine most foule, beastly, and vnnaturall. 90
Ham. Haste me to knowe it, that with wings as swift as meditation, or the thought of it, may sweepe to my reuenge.
Ghost O I finde thee apt, and duller shouldst thou be Then the fat weede which rootes it selfe in ease On Lethe wharffe: briefe let me be. 95 Tis giuen out, that sleeping in my orchard, A Serpent stung me; so the whole eare of Denmarke Is with a forged Prosses of my death rankely abusde: But know thou noble Youth: he that did sting Thy fathers heart, now weares his Crowne. 100
Ham. O my prophetike soule, my vncle! my vncle!
Ghost Yea he, that incestuous wretch, wonne to his will with gifts, O wicked will, and gifts! that haue the power So to seduce my most seeming vertuous Queene, But vertne, as it neuer will be moued, 105 Though Lewdnesse court it in a shape of heauen, So Lust, though to a radiant angle linckt, Would fate it selfe from a celestiall bedde, And prey on garbage: but soft, me thinkes I sent the mornings ayre, briefe let me be, 110 Sleeping within my Orchard, my custome alwayes In the after noone, vpon my secure houre Thy vncle came, with iuyce of Hebona In a viall, and through the porches of my eares Did powre the leaprous distilment, whose effect 115 Hold such an enmitie with blood of man, That swift as quickesiluer, it posteth through The naturall gates and allies of the body, And turnes the thinne and wholesome blood Like eager dropings into milke. 120 And all my smoothe body, barked, and tetterd ouer. Thus was I sleeping by a brothers hand Of Crowne, of Queene, of life, of dignitie At once depriued, no reckoning made of, But sent vnto my graue, 125 With all my accompts and sinnes vpon my head, O horrible, most horrible!
Ham. O God!
Ghost If thou hast nature in thee, beare it not, But howsoeuer, let not thy heart 130 Conspire against thy mother aught, Leaue her to heauen, And to the burthen that her conscience beares. I must be gone, the Glo-worme shewes the Martin To be neere, and gin's to pale his vneffectuall fire: 135 Hamlet adue, adue, adue: remember me. [Exit
Ham. O all you hoste of heauen! O earth, what else? And shall I couple hell; remember thee? Yes thou poore Ghost; from the tables Of my memorie, ile wipe away all sawes of Bookes, 140 All triuiall fond conceites That euer youth, or else obseruance noted, And thy remembrance, all alone shall sit. Yes, yes, by heauen, a damnd pernitious villaine, Murderons, bawdy, smiling damned villaine, 145 (My tables) meet it is I set it downe, That one may smile, and smile, and be a villayne; At least I am sure, it may be so in Denmarke. So vncle, there you are, there you are. Now to the words; it is adue adue: remember me, 150 Soe t'is enough I haue sworne.
Hor. My lord, my lord. Enter. Horatio, and Marcellus.
Mar. Lord Hamlet.
Hor. Ill, lo, lo, ho, ho.
Mar. Ill, lo, lo, so, ho, so, come boy, come. 155
Hor. Heauens secure him.
Mar. How i'st my noble lord?
Hor. What news my lord?
Ham. O wonderfull, wonderful.
Hor. Good my lord tel it. 160
Ham. No not I, you'l reueale it.
Hor. Not I my Lord by heauen.
Mar. Nor I my Lord.
Ham. How say you then? would hart of man Once thinke it? but you'l be secret. 165
Both. I by heauen, my lord.
Ham. There's neuer a villaine dwelling in all Denmarke, But hee's an arrant knaue.
Hor. There need no Ghost come from the graue to tell you this. 170
Ham. Right, you are in the right, and therefore I holde it meet without more circumstance at all, Wee shake hands and part; you as your busines And desiers shall leade you: for looke you, Euery man hath busines, and desires, such 175 As it is, and for my owne poore parte, ile go pray.
Hor. These are but wild and wherling words, my Lord.
Ham. I am sory they offend you; hartely, yes faith hartily.
Hor. Ther's no offence my Lord.
Ham. Yes by Saint Patrike but there is Horatio, 180 And much offence too, touching this vision, It is an honest ghost, that let mee tell you, For your desires to know what is betweene vs, Or'emaister it as you may: And now kind frends, as yon are frends, 185 Schollers and gentlmen, Grant mee one poore request.
Both. What i'st my Lord?
Ham. Neuer make known what you haue seene to night
Both. My Lord, we will not. 190
Ham. Nay but sweare.
Hor. In faith my Lord not I.
Mar. Nor I my Lord in faith.
Ham. Nay vpon my sword, indeed vpon my sword.
Gho. Sweare. 195
The Gost vnder the stage.
Ham. Ha, ha, come you here, this fellow in the sellerige, Here consent to sweare.
Hor. Propose the oth my Lord.
Ham. Neuer to speake what you haue seene to night, Sweare by my sword. 200
Gost. Sweare.
Ham. Hic & vbique; nay then weele shift our ground: Come hither Gentlemen, and lay your handes Againe vpon this sword, neuer to speake Of that which you haue seene, sweare by my sword. 205
Ghost Sweare.
Ham. Well said old Mole, can'st worke in the earth? so fast, a worthy Pioner, once more remoue.
Hor. Day and night, but this is wondrous strange.
Ham. And therefore as a stranger giue it welcome, 210 There are more things in heauen and earth Horatio, Then are Dream't of, in your philosophie, But come here, as before you neuer shall How strange or odde soere I beare my selfe, As I perchance hereafter shall thinke meet, 215 To put an Anticke disposition on, That you at such times seeing me, neuer shall With Armes, incombred thus, or this head shake, Or by pronouncing some vndoubtfull phrase, As well well, wee know, or wee could and if we would, 220 Or there be, and if they might, or such ambiguous: Giuing out to note, that you know aught of mee, This not to doe, so grace, and mercie At your most need helpe you, sweare
Ghost. sweare. 225
Ham. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit: so gentlemen, In all my loue I do commend mee to you, And what so poore a man as Hamlet may, To pleasure you, God willing shall not want, Nay come lett's go together, 230 But stil your fingers on your lippes I pray, The time is out of ioynt, O cursed spite, That euer I was borne to set it right, Nay come lett's go together. Exeunt.
[Sidenote: [SC. V.]]
Enter Corambis, and Montano.
Cor. Montano, here, these letters to my sonne, And this same mony with my blessing to him, And bid him ply his learning good Montano.
Mon. I will my lord.
Cor. You shall do very well Montano, to say thus, 5 I knew the gentleman, or know his father, To inquire the manner of his life, As thus; being amongst his acquaintance, You may say, you saw him at such a time, marke you mee, At game, or drincking, swearing, or drabbing, 10 You may go so farre.
Mon. My lord, that will impeach his reputation.
Cor. I faith not a whit, no not a whit, Now happely hee closeth with you in the consequence, As you may bridle it not disparage him a iote. 15 What was I a bout to say,
Mon. He closeth with him in the consequence.
Cor. I, you say right, he closeth with him thus, This will hee say, let mee see what hee will say, Mary this, I saw him yesterday, or tother day, 20 Or then, or at such a time, a dicing, Or at Tennis, I or drincking drunke, or entring Of a howse of lightnes viz. brothell, Thus sir do wee that know the world, being men of reach, By indirections, finde directions forth, 25 And so shall you my sonne; you ha me, ha you not?
Mon. I haue my lord.
Cor. Wel, fare you well, commend mee to him.
Mon. I will my lord.
Cor. And bid him ply his musicke 30
Mon. My lord I wil. exit.
Enter, Ofelia.
Cor. Farewel, how now Ofelia, what's the news with you?
Ofe. O my deare father, such a change in nature, So great an alteration in a Prince, So pitifull to him, fearefull to mee, 35 A maidens eye ne're looked on.
Cor. Why what's the matter my Ofelia?
Of. O yong Prince Hamlet, the only floure of Denmark, Hee is bereft of all the wealth he had, The Iewell that ador'nd his feature most 40 Is filcht and stolne away, his wit's bereft him, Hee found mee walking in the gallery all alone, There comes hee to mee, with a distracted looke, His garters lagging downe, his shooes vntide, And fixt his eyes so stedfast on my face, 45 As if they had vow'd, this is their latest obiect. Small while he stoode, but gripes me by the wrist, And there he holdes my pulse till with a sigh He doth vnclaspe his holde, and parts away Silent, as is the mid time of the night: 50 And as he went, his eie was still on mee, For thus his head ouer his shoulder looked, He seemed to finde the way without his eies: For out of doores he went without their helpe, And so did leaue me. 55
Cor. Madde for thy loue, What haue you giuen him any crosse wordes of late?
Ofelia I did repell his letters, deny his gifts, As you did charge me.
Cor. Why that hath made him madde: 60 By heau'n t'is as proper for our age to cast Beyond our selues, as t'is for the yonger sort To leaue their wantonnesse. Well, I am sory That I was so rash: but what remedy? Lets to the King, this madnesse may prooue, 65 Though wilde a while, yet more true to thy loue. exeunt.
[Sidenote: [SC. VI.]]
Enter King and Queene, Rossencraft, and Gilderstone.
King Right noble friends, that our deere cosin Hamlet Hath lost the very heart of all his sence, It is most right, and we most sory for him: Therefore we doe desire, euen as you tender Our care to him, and our great loue to you, 5 That you will labour but to wring from him The cause and ground of his distemperancie. Doe this, the king of Denmarke shal be thankefull.
Ros. My Lord, whatsoeuer lies within our power Your maiestie may more commaund in wordes 10 Then vse perswasions to your liege men, bound By loue, by duetie, and obedience.
Guil. What we may doe for both your Maiesties To know the griefe troubles the Prince your sonne, We will indeuour all the best we may, 15 So in all duetie doe we take our leaue.
King Thankes Guilderstone, and gentle Rossencraft.
Que. Thankes Rossencraft, and gentle Gilderstone.
Enter Corambis and Ofelia.
Cor. My Lord, the Ambassadors are ioyfully Return'd from Norway. 20
King Thou still hast beene the father of good news.
Cor. Haue I my Lord? I assure your grace, I holde my duetie as I holde my life, Both to my God, and to my soueraigne King: And I beleeue, or else this braine of mine 25 Hunts not the traine of policie so well As it had wont to doe, but I haue found The very depth of Hamlets lunacie.
Queene God graunt he hath.
Enter the Ambassadors.
King Now Voltemar, what from our brother Norway? 30
Volt. Most faire returnes of greetings and desires, Vpon our first he sent forth to suppresse His nephews leuies, which to him appear'd To be a preparation gainst the Polacke: But better look't into, he truely found 35 It was against your Highnesse, whereat grieued, That so his sickenesse, age, and impotence, Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests On Fortenbrasse, which he in briefe obays, Receiues rebuke from Norway: and in fine, 40 Makes vow before his vncle, neuer more To giue the assay of Armes against your Maiestie, Whereon olde Norway ouercome with ioy, Giues him three thousand crownes in annuall fee, And his Commission to employ those souldiers, 45 So leuied as before, against the Polacke, With an intreaty heerein further shewne, That it would please you to giue quiet passe Through your dominions, for that enterprise On such regardes of safety and allowances 50 As therein are set downe.
King It likes vs well, and at fit time and leasure Weele reade and answere these his Articles, Meane time we thanke you for your well Tooke labour: go to your rest, at night weele feast togither: 55 Right welcome home. exeunt Ambassadors.
Cor. This busines is very well dispatched. Now my Lord, touching the yong Prince Hamlet, Certaine it is that hee is madde: mad let vs grant him then: Now to know the cause of this effect, 60 Or else to say the cause of this defect, For this effect defectiue comes by cause.
Queene Good my Lord be briefe.
Cor. Madam I will: my Lord, I haue a daughter, Haue while shee's mine: for that we thinke 65 Is surest, we often loose: now to the Prince. My lord, but note this letter, The which my daughter in obedience Deliuer'd to my handes.
King Reade it my Lord. 70
Cor. Marke my Lord. Doubt that in earth is fire, Doubt that the starres doe moue, Doubt trueth to be a liar, But doe not doubt I loue. 75 To the beautifull Ofelia: Thine euer the most vnhappy Prince Hamlet. My Lord, what doe you thinke of me? I, or what might you thinke when I sawe this?
King As of a true friend and a most louing subiect. 80
Cor. I would be glad to prooue so. Now when I saw this letter, thus I bespake my maiden: Lord Hamlet is a Prince out of your starre, And one that is vnequall for your loue: Therefore I did commaund her refuse his letters, 85 Deny his tokens, and to absent her selfe. Shee as my childe obediently obey'd me. Now since which time, seeing his loue thus cross'd, Which I tooke to be idle, and but sport, He straitway grew into a melancholy, 90 From that vnto a fast, then vnto distraction, Then into a sadnesse, from that vnto a madnesse, And so by continuance, and weakenesse of the braine Into this frensie, which now possesseth him: And if this be not true, take this from this. 95
King Thinke you t'is so?
Cor. How? so my Lord, I would very faine know That thing that I haue saide t'is so, positiuely, And it hath fallen out otherwise. Nay, if circumstances leade me on, 100 Ile finde it out, if it were hid As deepe as the centre of the earth.
King. How should wee trie this same?
Cor. Mary my good lord thus, The Princes walke is here in the galery, 105 There let Ofelia, walke vntill hee comes: Your selfe and I will stand close in the study, There shall you heare the effect of all his hart, And if it proue any otherwise then loue, Then let my censure faile an other time. 110
King. see where hee comes poring vppon a booke.
Enter Hamlet.
Cor. Madame, will it please your grace To leaue vs here?
Que. With all my hart. exit.
Cor. And here Ofelia, reade you on this booke, 115 And walke aloofe, the King shal be vnseene.
Ham. To be, or not to be, I there's the point, To Die, to sleepe, is that all? I all: No, to sleepe, to dreame, I mary there it goes, 120 For in that dreame of death, when wee awake, And borne before an euerlasting Iudge, From whence no passenger euer retur'nd, The vndiscouered country, at whose sight The happy smile, and the accursed damn'd. 125 But for this, the ioyfull hope of this, Whol'd beare the scornes and flattery of the world, Scorned by the right rich, the rich curssed of the poore? The widow being oppressed, the orphan wrong'd, The taste of hunger, or a tirants raigne, 130 And thousand more calamities besides, To grunt and sweate vnder this weary life, When that he may his full Quietus make, With a bare bodkin, who would this indure, But for a hope of something after death? Which pusles the braine, and doth confound the sence, 135 Which makes vs rather beare those euilles we haue, Than flie to others that we know not of. I that, O this conscience makes cowardes of vs all, Lady in thy orizons, be all my sinnes remembred.
Ofel. My Lord, I haue sought opportunitie, which now 140 I haue, to redeliuer to your worthy handes, a small remembrance, such tokens which I haue receiued of you.
Ham. Are you faire?
Ofel. My Lord.
Ham. Are you honest? 145
Ofel. What meanes my Lord?
Ham. That if you be faire and honest, Your beauty should admit no discourse to your honesty.
Ofel. My Lord, can beauty haue better priuiledge than with honesty? 150
Ham. Yea mary may it; for Beauty may transforme Honesty, from what she was into a bawd: Then Honesty can transforme Beauty: This was sometimes a Paradox, But now the time giues it scope. 155 I neuer gaue you nothing.
Ofel. My Lord, you know right well you did, And with them such earnest vowes of loue, As would haue moou'd the stoniest breast aliue, But now too true I finde, 160 Rich giftes waxe poore, when giuers grow vnkinde.
Ham. I neuer loued you.
Ofel. You made me beleeue you did.
Ham. O thou shouldst not a beleeued me! Go to a Nunnery goe, why shouldst thou 165 Be a breeder of sinners? I am my selfe indifferent honest, But I could accuse my selfe of such crimes It had beene better my mother had ne're borne me, O I am very prowde, ambitious, disdainefull, With more sinnes at my becke, then I haue thoughts 170 To put them in, what should such fellowes as I Do, crawling between heauen and earth? To a Nunnery goe, we are arrant knaues all, Beleeue none of vs, to a Nunnery goe.
Ofel. O heauens secure him! 175
Ham. Wher's thy father?
Ofel. At home my lord.
Ham. For Gods sake let the doores be shut on him, He may play the foole no where but in his Owne house: to a Nunnery goe. 180
Ofel. Help him good God.
Ham. If thou dost marry, Ile giue thee This plague to thy dowry: Be thou as chaste as yce, as pure as snowe, Thou shalt not scape calumny, to a Nunnery goe. 185
Ofel. Alas, what change is this?
Ham. But if thou wilt needes marry, marry a foole, For wisemen know well enough, What monsters you make of them, to a Nunnery goe.
Ofel. Pray God restore him. 190
Ham. Nay, I haue heard of your paintings too, God hath giuen you one face, And you make your selues another, You fig, and you amble, and you nickname Gods creatures, Making your wantonnesse, your ignorance, 195 A pox, t'is scuruy, Ile no more of it, It hath made me madde: Ile no more marriages, All that are married but one, shall liue, The rest shall keepe as they are, to a Nunnery goe, To a Nunnery goe. exit. 200
Ofe. Great God of heauen, what a quicke change is this? The Courtier, Scholler, Souldier, all in him, All dasht and splinterd thence, O woe is me, To a seene what I haue seene, see what I see. exit.
[Sidenote: [SC. VII.]]
King Loue? No, no, that's not the cause, Enter King and Corambis. Some deeper thing it is that troubles him.
Cor. Wel, something it is: my Lord, content you a while, I will my selfe goe feele him: let me worke, Ile try him euery way: see where he comes, 5 Send you those Gentlemen, let me alone To finde the depth of this, away, be gone. exit King. Now my good Lord, do you know me? Enter Hamlet.
Ham. Yea very well, y'are a fishmonger.
Cor. Not I my Lord. 10
Ham. Then sir, I would you were so honest a man, For to be honest, as this age goes, Is one man to be pickt out of tenne thousand.
Cor. What doe you reade my Lord?
Ham. Wordes, wordes. 15
Cor. What's the matter my Lord?
Ham. Betweene who?
Cor. I meane the matter you reade my Lord.
Ham. Mary most vile heresie: For here the Satyricall Satyre writes, That olde men haue hollow eyes, weake backes, Grey beardes, pittifull weake hammes, gowty legges, All which sir, I most potently beleeue not: For sir, your selfe shalbe olde as I am, If like a Crabbe, you could goe backeward. 25
Cor. How pregnant his replies are, and full of wit: Yet at first he tooke me for a fishmonger: All this comes by loue, the vemencie of loue, And when I was yong, I was very idle, And suffered much extasie in loue, very neere this: 30 Will you walke out of the aire my Lord?
Ham. Into my graue.
Cor. By the masse that's out of the aire indeed, Very shrewd answers, My lord I will take my leaue of you. 35
Enter Gilderstone, and Rossencraft.
Ham. You can take nothing from me sir, I will more willingly part with all, Olde doating foole.
Cor. You seeke Prince Hamlet, see, there he is. exit.
Gil. Health to your Lordship. 40
Ham. What, Gilderstone, and Rossencraft, Welcome kinde Schoole-fellowes to Elsanoure.
Gil. We thanke your Grace, and would be very glad You were as when we were at Wittenberg.
Ham. I thanke you, but is this visitation free of 45 Your selues, or were you not sent for? Tell me true, come, I know the good King and Queene Sent for you, there is a kinde of confession in your eye: Come, I know you were sent for.
Gil. What say you? 50
Ham. Nay then I see how the winde sits, Come, you were sent for.
Ross. My lord, we were, and willingly if we might, Know the cause and ground of your discontent.
Ham. Why I want preferment. 55
Ross. I thinke not so my lord.
Ham. Yes faith, this great world you see contents me not, No nor the spangled heauens, nor earth, nor sea, No nor Man that is so glorious a creature, Contents not me, no nor woman too, though you laugh. 60
Gil. My lord, we laugh not at that.
Ham. Why did you laugh then, When I said, Man did not content mee?
Gil. My Lord, we laughed, when you said, Man did not content you. 65 What entertainement the Players shall haue, We boorded them a the way: they are comming to you.
Ham. Players, what Players be they?
Ross. My Lord, the Tragedians of the Citty, Those that you tooke delight to see so often. 70
Ham. How comes it that they trauell? Do they grow restie?
Gil. No my Lord, their reputation holds as it was wont.
Ham. How then?
Gil. Yfaith my Lord, noueltie carries it away, For the principall publike audience that 75 Came to them, are turned to priuate playes, And to the humour of children.
Ham. I doe not greatly wonder of it, For those that would make mops and moes At my vncle, when my father liued, 80 Now giue a hundred, two hundred pounds For his picture: but they shall be welcome, He that playes the King shall haue tribute of me, The ventrous Knight shall vse his foyle and target, The louer shall sigh gratis, 85 The clowne shall make them laugh That are tickled in the lungs, or the blanke verse shall halt for't, And the Lady shall haue leaue to speake her minde freely.
The Trumpets sound, Enter Corambis.
Do you see yonder great baby? He is not yet out of his swadling clowts. 90
Gil. That may be, for they say an olde man Is twice a childe.
Ham. Ile prophecie to you, hee comes to tell mee a the Players, You say true, a monday last, t'was so indeede.
Cor. My lord, I haue news to tell you. 95
Ham. My Lord, I haue newes to tell you: When Rossios was an Actor in Rome.
Cor. The Actors are come hither, my lord.
Ham. Buz, buz.
Cor. The best Actors in Christendome, 100 Either for Comedy, Tragedy, Historie, Pastorall, Pastorall, Historicall, Historicall, Comicall, Comicall historicall, Pastorall, Tragedy historicall: Seneca cannot be too heauy, nor Plato too light: For the law hath writ those are the onely men. 105
Ha. O Iepha Iudge of Israel! what a treasure hadst thou?
Cor. Why what a treasure had he my lord?
Ham. Why one faire daughter, and no more, The which he loued passing well.
Cor. A, stil harping a my daughter! well my Lord, 110 If you call me Iepha, I hane a daughter that I loue passing well.
Ham. Nay that followes not.
Cor. What followes then my Lord?
Ham. Why by lot, or God wot, or as it came to passe, 115 And so it was, the first verse of the godly Ballet Wil tel you all: for look you where my abridgement comes: Welcome maisters, welcome all, Enter players. What my olde friend, thy face is vallanced Since I saw thee last, com'st thou to beard me in Denmarke? 120 My yong lady and mistris, burlady but your Ladiship is growne by the altitude of a chopine higher than you were: Pray God sir your voyce, like a peece of vncurrant Golde, be not crack't in the ring: come on maisters, Weele euen too't, like French Falconers, 125 Flie at any thing we see, come, a taste of your Quallitie, a speech, a passionate speech.
Players What speech my good lord?
Ham. I heard thee speake a speech once, But it was neuer acted: or if it were, 130 Neuer aboue twice, for as I remember, It pleased not the vulgar, it was cauiary To the million: but to me And others, that receiued it in the like kinde, Cried in the toppe of their iudgements, an excellent play, 135 Set downe with as great modestie as cunning: One said there was no sallets in the lines to make the sauory, But called it an honest methode, as wholesome as sweete. Come, a speech in it I chiefly remember Was Æneas tale to Dido, 140 And then especially where he talkes of Princes slaughter, If it liue in thy memory beginne at this line, Let me see. The rugged Pyrrus, like th'arganian beast: No t'is not so, it begins with Pirrus: 145 O I haue it. The rugged Pirrus, he whose sable armes, Blacke as his purpose did the night resemble, When he lay couched in the ominous horse, Hath now his blacke and grimme complexion smeered 150 With Heraldry more dismall, head to foote, Now is he totall guise, horridely tricked With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sonnes, Back't and imparched in calagulate gore, Rifted in earth and fire, olde grandsire Pryam seekes: So goe on.
Cor. Afore God, my Lord, well spoke, and with good accent.
Play. Anone he finds him striking too short at Greeks, His antike sword rebellious to his Arme, Lies where it falles, vnable to resist. 160 Pyrrus at Pryam driues, but all in rage, Strikes wide, but with the whiffe and winde Of his fell sword, th' unnerued father falles.
Cor. Enough my friend, t'is too long.
Ham. It shall to the Barbers with your beard: 165 A pox, hee's for a Iigge, or a tale of bawdry, Or else he sleepes, come on to Hecuba, come.
Play. But who, O who had seene the mobled Queene?
Cor. Mobled Queene is good, faith very good.
Play. All in the alarum and feare of death rose vp, 170 And o're her weake and all ore-teeming loynes, a blancket And a kercher on that head, where late the diademe stoode, Who this had seene with tongue inuenom'd speech, Would treason haue pronounced, For if the gods themselues had seene her then, 175 When she saw Pirrus with malitious strokes, Mincing her husbandes limbs, It would have made milch the burning eyes of heauen, And passion in the gods.
Cor. Looke my lord if he hath not changde his colour, 180 And hath teares in his eyes: no more good heart, no more.
Ham. T'is well, t'is very well, I pray my lord, Will you see the Players well bestowed, I tell you they are the Chronicles And briefe abstracts of the time, 185 After your death I can tell you, You were better haue a bad Epiteeth, Then their ill report while you liue.
Cor. My lord, I will vse them according to their deserts.
Ham. O farre better man, vse euery man after his deserts, 190 Then who should scape whipping? Vse them after your owne honor and dignitie, The lesse they deserue, the greater credit's yours.
Cor. Welcome my good fellowes. exit.
Ham. Come hither maisters, can you not play the murder 195 of Gonsago?
Players Yes my Lord.
Ham. And could'st not thou for a neede study me Some dozen or sixteene lines, Which I would set downe and insert? 200
Players Yes very easily my good Lord.
Ham. T'is well, I thanke you: follow that lord: And doe you heare sirs? take heede you mocke him not. Gentlemen, for your kindnes I thanke you, And for a time I would desire you leaue me. 205
Gil. Our loue and duetie is at your commaund.
Exeunt all but Hamlet.
Ham. Why what a dunghill idiote slaue am I? Why these Players here draw water from eyes: For Hecuba, why what is Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba? What would he do and if he had my losse? 210 His father murdred, and a Crowne bereft him, He would turne all his teares to droppes of blood, Amaze the standers by with his laments, Strike more then wonder in the iudiciall eares, Confound the ignorant, and make mute the wise, 215 Indeede his passion would be generall. Yet I like to an asse and Iohn a Dreames, Hauing my father murdred by a villaine, Stand still, and let it passe, why sure I am a coward: Who pluckes me by the beard, or twites my nose, 220 Giue's me the lie i'th throate downe to the lungs, Sure I should take it, or else I haue no gall, Or by this I should a fatted all the region kites With this slaues offell, this damned villaine, Treacherous, bawdy, murderous villaine: 225 Why this is braue, that I the sonne of my deare father, Should like a scalion, like a very drabbe Thus raile in wordes. About my braine, I haue heard that guilty creatures sitting at a play, Hath, by the very cunning of the scene, confest a murder 230 Committed long before. This spirit that I haue seene may be the Diuell, And out of my weakenesse and my melancholy, As he is very potent with such men, Doth seeke to damne me, I will haue sounder proofes, 235 The play's the thing, Wherein I'le catch the conscience of the King. exit.
[Sidenote: [SC. VIII.]]
Enter the King, Queene, and Lordes.
King Lordes, can you by no meanes finde The cause of our sonne Hamlets lunacie? You being so neere in loue, euen from his youth, Me thinkes should gaine more than a stranger should.
Gil. My lord, we haue done all the best we could, 5 To wring from him the cause of all his griefe, But still he puts vs off, and by no meanes Would make an answere to that we exposde.
Ross. Yet was he something more inclin'd to mirth Before we left him, and I take it, 10 He hath giuen order for a play to night, At which he craues your highnesse company.
King With all our heart, it likes vs very well: Gentlemen, seeke still to increase his mirth, Spare for no cost, our coffers shall be open, 15 And we vnto your selues will still be thankefull.
Both In all wee can, be sure you shall commaund.
Queene Thankes gentlemen, and what the Queene of Denmarke May pleasure you, be sure you shall not want.
Gil. Weele once againe vnto the noble Prince. 20
King Thanks to you both: Gertred you'l see this play.
Queene My lord I will, and it ioyes me at the soule He is inclin'd to any kinde of mirth.
Cor. Madame, I pray be ruled by me: And my good Soueraigne, giue me leaue to speake, 25 We cannot yet finde out the very ground Of his distemperance, therefore I holde it meete, if so it please you, Else they shall not meete, and thus it is.
King What i'st Corambis? 30
Cor. Mary my good lord this, soone when the sports are done, Madam, send you in haste to speake with him, And I my selfe will stand behind the Arras, There question you the cause of all his griefe, And then in loue and nature vnto you, hee'le tell you all: 35 My Lord, how thinke you on't?
King It likes vs well, Gertred, what say you?
Queene With all my heart, soone will I send for him.
Cor. My selfe will be that happy messenger, Who hopes his griefe will be reueal'd to her. exeunt omnes 40
[Sidenote: [SC. IX.]]
Enter Hamlet and the Players.
Ham. Pronounce me this speech trippingly a the tongue as I taught thee, Mary and you mouth it, as a many of your players do I'de rather heare a towne bull bellow, Then such a fellow speake my lines. 5 Nor do not saw the aire thus with your hands, But giue euery thing his action with temperance. O it offends mee to the soule, to heare a rebustious periwig fellow, To teare a passion in totters, into very ragges, To split the eares of the ignoraut, who for the Most parte are capable of nothing but dumbe shewes and noises, I would haue such a fellow whipt, for o're doing, tarmagant It out, Herodes Herod.
players My Lorde, wee haue indifferently reformed that among vs. 15
Ham. The better, the better, mend it all together: There be fellowes that I haue seene play, And heard others commend them, and that highly too, That hauing neither the gate of Christian, Pagan, Nor Turke, haue so strutted and bellowed, 20 That you would a thought, some of Natures journeymen Had made men, and not made them well, They imitated humanitie, so abhominable: Take heede, auoyde it.
players I warrant you my Lord. 25
Ham. And doe you heare? let not your Clowne speake More then is set downe, there be of them I can tell you That will laugh themselues, to set on some Quantitie of barren spectators to laugh with them, Albeit there is some necessary point in the Play 30 Then to be obserued: O t'is vile, and shewes A pittifull ambition in the foole that vseth it. And then you haue some agen, that keepes one sute Of ieasts, as a man is knowne by one sute of Apparell, and Gentlemen quotes his ieasts downe 35 In their tables, before they come to the play, as thus: Cannot you stay till I eate my porrige? and, you owe me A quarters wages: and, my coate wants a cullison: And, your beere is sowre: and, blabbering with his lips, And thus keeping in his cinkapase of ieasts, 40 When, God knows, the warme Clowne cannot make a iest Vnlesse by chance, as the blinde man catcheth a hare: Maisters tell him of it.
players We will my Lord.
Ham. Well, goe make you ready. exeunt players. 45
Horatio. Heere my Lord.
Ham. Horatio, thou art euen as iust a man, As e're my conuersation cop'd withall.
Hor. O my lord!
Ham. Nay why should I flatter thee? 50 Why should the poore be flattered? What gaine should I receiue by flattering thee, That nothing hath but thy good minde? Let flattery sit on those time-pleasing tongs, To glose with them that loues to heare their praise, 55 And not with such as thou Horatio. There is a play to night, wherein one Sceane they haue Comes very neere the murder of my father, When thou shalt see that Act afoote, Marke thou the King, doe but obserue his lookes, 60 For I mine eies will riuet to his face: And if he doe not bleach, and change at that, It is a damned ghost that we haue seene, Horatio, haue a care, obserue him well.
Hor. My lord, mine eies shall still be on his face, 65 And not the smallest alteration That shall appeare in him, but I shall note it.
Ham. Harke, they come.
Enter King, Queene, Corambis, and other Lords.
King How now son Hamlet, how fare you, shall we haue a play?
Ham. Yfaith the Camelions dish, not capon cramm'd, 70 feed a the ayre. I father: My lord, you playd in the Vniuersitie.
Cor. That I did my L: and I was counted a good actor.
Ham. What did you enact there?
Cor. My lord, I did act Julius Cæsar, I was killed 75 in the Capitoll, Brutus killed me.
Ham. It was a brute parte of him, To kill so capitall a calfe. Come, be these Players ready?
Queene Hamlet come sit downe by me. 80
Ham. No by my faith mother, heere's a mettle more attractive: Lady will you giue me leaue, and so forth: To lay my head in your lappe?
Ofel. No my lord.
Ham. Vpon your lap, what do you thinke I meant contrary matters? 85
_Enter in a Dumbe Shew, the King and the Queene, he sits downe in an Arbor, she leaues him: Then enters Lucianus with poyson in a Viall, and powres it in his eares, and goes away: Then the Queene commeth and findes him dead: and goes away with the other._
Ofel. What meanes this my Lord? Enter the Prologue.
Ham. This is myching Mallico, that meanes my chiefe.
Ofel. What doth this meane my lord?
Ham. You shall heare anone, this fellow will tell you all.
Ofel. Will he tell vs what this shew meanes? 90
Ham. I, or any shew you'le shew him, Be not afeard to shew, hee'le not be afeard to tell: O these Players cannot keepe counsell, thei'le tell all.
Prol. For vs, and for our Tragedie, Heere stowping to your clemencie, 95 We begge your hearing patiently.
Ham. I'st a prologue, or a poesie for a ring?
Ofel. T'is short my Lord.
Ham. As womens loue.
Enter the Duke and Dutchesse.
Duke Full fortie yeares are past, their date is gone, 100 Since happy time ioyn'd both our hearts as one: And now the blood that fill'd my youthfull veines, Runnes weakely in their pipes, and all the straines Of musicke, which whilome pleasde mine eare, Is now a burthen that Age cannot beare: 105 And therefore sweete Nature must pay his due, To heauen must I, and leaue the earth with you.
Dutchesse O say not so, lest that you kill my heart, When death takes you, let life from me depart.
Duke Content thy selfe, when ended is my date, 110 Thou maist (perchance) haue a more noble mate, More wise, more youthfull, and one.
Dutchesse O speake no more, for then I am accurst, None weds the second, but she kils the first: A second time I kill my Lord that's dead, 115 When second husband kisses me in bed.
Ham. O wormewood, wormewood!
Duke I doe beleeue you sweete, what now you speake, But what we doe determine oft we breake, For our demises stil are ouerthrowne, 120 Our thoughts are ours, their end's none of our owne: So thinke you will no second husband wed, But die thy thoughts, when thy first Lord is dead.
Dutchesse Both here and there pursue me lasting strife, I once a widdow, euer I be wife. 125
Ham. If she should breake now.
Duke T'is deepely sworne, sweete leaue me here a while, My spirites growe dull, and faine I would beguile the tedious time with sleepe.
Dutchesse Sleepe rocke thy braine, 130 And neuer come mischance betweene vs twaine. exit Lady
Ham. Madam, how do you like this play?
Queene The Lady protests too much.
Ham. O but shee'le keepe her word.
King Haue you heard the argument, is there no offence 135 in it?
Ham. No offence in the world, poyson iniest, poison in iest.
King What do you call the name of the play?
Ham. Mouse-trap: mary how trapically: this play is The image of a murder done in guyana, Albertus 140 Was the Dukes name, his wife Baptista, Father, it is a knauish peece a worke: but what A that, it toucheth not vs, you and I that haue free Soules, let the galld iade wince, this is one Lucianus nephew to the King. 145
Ofel. Ya're as good as a Chorus my lord.
Ham. I could interpret the loue you beare, if I sawe the poopies dallying.
Ofel. Y'are very pleasant my lord.
Ham. Who I, your onlie jig-maker, why what shoulde 150 a man do but be merry? for looke how cheerefully my mother lookes, my father died within these two houres.
Ofel. Nay, t'is twice two months, my Lord.
Ham. Two months, nay then let the diuell weare blacke, For i'le haue a sute of Sables: Iesus, two months dead, 155 And not forgotten yet? nay then there's some Likelyhood, a gentlemans death may outliue memorie, But by my faith hee must build churches then, Or els hee must follow the olde Epitithe, With hoh, with ho, the hobi-horse is forgot. 160
Ofel. Your iests are keene my Lord.
Ham. It would cost you a groning to take them off.
Ofel. Still better and worse.
Ham. So you must take your husband, begin. Murdred Begin, a poxe, leaue thy damnable faces and begin, 165 Come, the croking rauen doth bellow for reuenge.
Murd. Thoughts blacke, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing. Confederate season, else no creature seeing: Thou mixture rancke, of midnight weedes collected, With Hecates bane thrise blasted, thrise infected, 170 Thy naturall magicke, and dire propertie, One wholesome life vsurps immediately. exit.
Ham. He poysons him for his estate.
King Lights, I will to bed.
Cor. The king rises, lights hoe. 175
Exeunt King and Lordes.
Ham. What, frighted with false fires? Then let the stricken deere goe weepe, The Hart vngalled play, For some must laugh, while some must weepe, Thus runnes the world away. 180
Hor. The king is mooued my lord.
Hor. I Horatio, i'le take the Ghosts word For more then all the coyne in Denmarke.
Enter Rossencraft and Gilderstone.
Ross. Now my lord, how i'st with you?
Ham. And if the king like not the tragedy, 185 Why then belike he likes it not perdy.
Ross. We are very glad to see your grace so pleasant, My good lord, let vs againe intreate To know of you the ground and cause of your distemperature.
Gil. My lord, your mother craues to speake with you. 190
Ham. We shall obey, were she ten times our mother.
Ross. But my good Lord, shall I intreate thus much?
Ham. I pray will you play vpon this pipe?
Ross. Alas my lord I cannot.
Ham. Pray will you. 195
Gil. I haue no skill my Lord.
Ham. Why looke, it is a thing of nothing, T'is but stopping of these holes, And with a little breath from your lips, It will giue most delicate musick. 200
Gil. But this cannot wee do my Lord.
Ham. Pray now, pray hartily, I beseech you.
Ross. My lord wee cannot.
Ham. Why how vnworthy a thing would you make of me? You would seeme to know my stops, you would play vpon mee, 205 You would search the very inward part of my hart, And diue into the secreet of my soule. Zownds do you thinke I am easier to be pla'yd On, then a pipe? call mee what Instrument You will, though you can frett mee, yet you can not 210 Play vpon mee, besides, to be demanded by a spunge.
Ros. How a spunge my Lord?
Ham. I sir, a spunge, that sokes vp the kings Countenance, fauours, and rewardes, that makes His liberalitie your store house: but such as you, 215 Do the king, in the end, best seruise; For hee doth keep you as an Ape doth nuttes, In the corner of his Iaw, first mouthes you, Then swallowes you: so when hee hath need Of you, t'is but squeesing of you, 220 And spunge, you shall be dry againe you shall.
Ros. Wel my Lord wee'le take our leaue.
Ham. Farewell, farewell, God blesse you.
Exit Rossencraft and Gilderstone.
Enter Corambis.
Cor. My lord, the Queene would speake with you.
Ham. Do you see yonder clowd in the shape of a camell?
Cor. T'is like a camell in deed.
Ham. Now me thinkes it's like a weasel.
Cor. T'is back't like a weasell.
Ham. Or like a whale.
Cor. Very like a whale. exit Coram. 230
Ham. Why then tell my mother i'le come by and by. Good night Horatio.
Hor. Good night vnto your Lordship. exit Horatio.
Ham. My mother she hath sent to speake with me: O God, let ne're the heart of Nero enter 235 This soft bosome. Let me be cruell, not vnnaturall. I will speake daggers, those sharpe wordes being spent, To doe her wrong my soule shall ne're consent. exit.
[Sidenote: [SC. X.]]
Enter the King.
King O that this wet that falles vpon my face Would wash the crime cleere from my conscience! When I looke vp to heauen, I see my trespasse, The earth doth still crie out vpon my fact, Pay me the murder of a brother and a king, 5 And the adulterous fault I haue committed: O these are sinnes that are vnpardonable: Why say thy sinnes were blacker then is ieat, Yet may contrition make them as white as snowe: I but still to perseuer in a sinne, 10 It is an act gainst the vniuersall power, Most wretched man, stoope, bend thee to thy prayer, Aske grace of heauen to keepe thee from despaire.
Hee kneeles. enters Hamlet
Ham. I so, come forth and worke thy last, And thus hee dies: and so am I reuenged: 15 No, not so: he tooke my father sleeping, his sins brim full, And how his soule stoode to the state of heauen Who knowes, saue the immortall powres, And shall I kill him now, When he is purging of his soule? 20 Making his way for heauen, this is a benefit, And not reuenge: no, get thee vp agen, When hee's at game swaring, taking his carowse, drinking, drunke, Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed, Or at some act that hath no relish 25 Of saluation in't, then trip him That his heeles may kicke at heauen, And fall as lowe as hel: my mother stayes, This phisicke but prolongs thy weary dayes. exit Ham.
King My wordes fly vp, my sinnes remaine below. 30 No King on earth is safe, if Gods his foe. exit King.
[Sidenote: [SC. XI.]]
Enter Queene and Corambis.
Cor. Madame, I heare yong Hamlet comming, I'le shrowde my selfe behinde the Arras. exit Cor.
Queene Do so my Lord.
Ham. Mother, mother, O are you here? How i'st with you mother? 5
Queene How i'st with you?
Ham. I'le tell you, but first weele make all safe.
Queene Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.
Ham. Mother, you haue my father much offended.
Queene How now boy? 10
Ham. How now mother! come here, sit downe, for you shall heare me speake.
Queene What wilt thou doe? thou wilt not murder me: Helpe hoe.
Cor. Helpe for the Queene. 15
Ham. I a Rat, dead for a Duckat. Rash intruding foole, farewell, I tooke thee for thy better.
Queene Hamlet, what hast thou done?
Ham. Not so much harme, good mother, 20 As to kill a king, and marry with his brother.
Queene How! kill a king!
Ham. I a King: nay sit you downe, and ere you part, If you be made of penitrable stuffe, I'le make your eyes looke downe into your heart, 25 And see how horride there and blacke it shews.
Queene Hamlet, what mean'st thou by these killing words?
Ham. Why this I meane, see here, behold this picture, It is the portraiture, of your deceased husband, See here a face, to outface Mars himselfe, 30 An eye, at which his foes did tremble at, A front wherin all vertues are set downe For to adorne a king, and guild his crowne, Whose heart went hand in hand euen with that vow, He made to you in marriage, and he is dead. 35 Murdred, damnably murdred, this was your husband, Looke you now, here is your husband, With a face like Vulcan. A looke fit for a murder and a rape, A dull dead hanging looke, and a hell-bred eie, 40 To affright children and amaze the world: And this same haue you left to change with this. What Diuell thus hath cosoned you at hob-man blinde? A! haue you eyes and can you looke on him That slew my father, and your deere husband, 45 To liue in the incestuous pleasure of his bed?
Queene O Hamlet, speake no more.
Ham. To leaue him that bare a Monarkes minde, For a king of clowts, of very shreads.
Queene Sweete Hamlet cease. 50
Ham. Nay but still to persist and dwell in sinne, To sweate vnder the yoke of infamie, To make increase of shame, to seale damnation.
Queene Hamlet, no more.
Ham. Why appetite with you is in the waine, 55 Your blood runnes backeward now from whence it came, Who'le chide hote blood within a Virgins heart, When lust shall dwell within a matrons breast?
Queene Hamlet, thou cleaues my heart in twaine.
Ham. O throw away the worser part of it, and keepe the 60 better.
Enter the ghost in his night gowne.
Saue me, saue me, you gratious Powers aboue, and houer ouer mee, With your celestiall wings. Doe you not come your tardy sonne to chide, 65 That I thus long haue let reuenge slippe by? O do not glare with lookes so pittifull! Lest that my heart of stone yeelde to compassion, And euery part that should assist reuenge, Forgoe their proper powers, and fall to pitty. 70
Ghost Hamlet, I once againe appeare to thee, To put thee in remembrance of my death: Doe not neglect, nor long time put it off. But I perceiue by thy distracted lookes, Thy mother's fearefull, and she stands amazde: 75 Speake to her Hamlet, for her sex is weake, Comfort thy mother, Hamlet, thinke on me.
Ham. How i'st with you Lady?
Queene Nay, how i'st with you That thus you bend your eyes on vacancie, 80 And holde discourse with nothing but with ayre?
Ham. Why doe you nothing heare?
Queene Not I.
Ham. Nor doe you nothing see?
Queene No neither.
Ham. No, why see the king my father, my father, in the habite As he liued, looke you how pale he lookes, See how he steales away out of the Portall, Looke, there he goes. exit ghost.
Queene Alas, it is the weaknesse of thy braine, 90 Which makes thy tongue to blazon thy hearts griefe: But as I haue a soule, I sweare by heauen, I neuer knew of this most horride murder: But Hamlet, this is onely fantasie, And for my loue forget these idle fits. 95
Ham. Idle, no mother, my pulse doth beate like yours, It is not madnesse that possesseth Hamlet. O mother, if euer you did my deare father loue, Forbeare the adulterous bed to night, And win your selfe by little as you may, 100 In time it may be you wil lothe him quite: And mother, but assist mee in reuenge, And in his death your infamy shall die.
Queene Hamlet, I vow by that maiesty, That knowes our thoughts, and lookes into our hearts, 105 I will conceale, consent, and doe my best, What stratagem soe're thou shalt deuise.
Ham. It is enough, mother good night: Come sir, I'le prouide for you a graue, Who was in life a foolish prating knaue. 110
Exit Hamlet with the dead body.
Enter the King and Lordes.
King Now Gertred, what sayes our sonne, how doe you finde him?
Queene Alas my lord, as raging as the sea: Whenas he came, I first bespake him faire, But then he throwes and tosses me about, 115 As one forgetting that I was his mother: At last I call'd for help: and as I cried, Corambis Call'd, which Hamlet no sooner heard, but whips me Out his rapier, and cries, a Rat, a Rat, and in his rage The good olde man he killes. 120
King Why this his madnesse will vndoe our state. Lordes goe to him, inquire the body out.
Gil. We will my Lord. Exeunt Lordes.
King Gertred, your sonne shall presently to England, His shipping is already furnished, 125 And we haue sent by Rossencraft and Gilderstone, Our letters to our deare brother of England, For Hamlets welfare and his happinesse: Happly the aire and climate of the Country May please him better than his natiue home: 130 See where he comes.
Enter Hamlet and the Lordes.
Gil. My lord, we can by no meanes Know of him where the body is.
King Now sonne Hamlet, where is this dead body?
Ham. At supper, not where he is eating, but 135 Where he is eaten, a certaine company of politicke wormes are euen now at him. Father, your fatte King, and your leane Beggar Are but variable seruices, two dishes to one messe: Looke you, a man may fish with that worme 140 That hath eaten of a King, And a Beggar eate that fish, Which that worme hath caught.
King What of this?
Ham. Nothing father, but to tell you, how a King 145 May go a progresse through the guttes of a Beggar.
King But sonne Hamlet, where is this body?
Ham. In heau'n, if you chance to misse him there, Father, you had best looke in the other partes below For him, and if you cannot finde him there, 150 You may chance to nose him as you go vp the lobby.
King Make haste and finde him out.
Ham. Nay doe you heare? do not make too much haste, I'le warrant you hee'le stay till you come.
King Well sonne Hamlet, we in care of you: but specially 155 in tender preseruation of your health, The which we price euen as our proper selfe, It is our minde you forthwith goe for England, The winde sits faire, you shall aboorde to night, Lord Rossencraft and Gilderstone shall goe along with you. 160
Ham. O with all my heart: farewel mother.
King Your louing father, Hamlet.
Ham. My mother I say: you married my mother, My mother is your wife, man and wife is one flesh, And so (my mother) farewel: for England hoe. 165
Exeunt all but the king.
King Gertred, leaue me, And take your leaue of Hamlet, To England is he gone, ne're to returne: Our Letters are vnto the King of England, That on the sight of them, on his allegeance, 170 He presently without demaunding why, That Hamlet loose his head, for he must die, There's more in him than shallow eyes can see: He once being dead, why then our state is free. exit.
[Sidenote: [SC. XII.]]
Enter Fortenbrasse, Drumme and Souldiers.
Fort. Captaine, from vs goe greete The king of Denmarke: Tell him that Fortenbrasse nephew to old Norway, Craues a free passe and conduct over his land, According to the Articles agreed on: 5 You know our Randevous, goe march away. exeunt all.
[Sidenote: [SC. XIII.]]
Enter King and Queene.
King Hamlet is ship't for England, fare him well, I hope to heare good newes from thence ere long, If every thing fall out to our content, As I doe make no doubt but so it shall.
Queene God grant it may, heav'ns keep my Hamlet safe: 5 But this mischance of olde Corambis death, Hath piersed so the yong Ofeliaes heart, That she, poore maide, is quite bereft her wittes.
King Alas deere heart! And on the other side, We vnderstand her brother's come from France, 10 And he hath halfe the heart of all our Land, And hardly hee'le forget his fathers death, Vnlesse by some meanes he be pacified.
Qu. O see where the yong Ofelia is!
_Enter Ofelia playing on a Lute, and her haire downe singing._
Ofelia How should I your true love know 15 From another man? By his cockle hatte, and his staffe, And his sandall shoone. White his shrowde as mountaine snowe, Larded with sweete flowers, 20 That bewept to the graue did not goe With true louers showers: He is dead and gone Lady, he is dead and gone, At his head a grasse greene turffe, At his heeles a stone.
King How i'st with you sweete Ofelia?
Ofelia Well God yeeld you, It grieues me to see how they laid him in the cold ground, I could not chuse but weepe: And will he not come againe? 30 And will he not come againe? No, no, hee's gone, and we cast away mone, And he neuer will come againe. His beard as white as snowe: All flaxen was his pole, 35 He is dead, he is gone, And we cast away moane: God a mercy on his soule. And of all christen soules I pray God. God be with you Ladies, God be with you. exit Ofelia. 40
King A pretty wretch! this is a change indeede: O Time, how swiftly runnes our ioyes away? Content on earth was neuer certaine bred, To day we laugh and liue, to morrow dead. How now, what noyse is that? 45
A noyse within. Enter Leartes.
Lear. Stay there vntill I come, O thou vilde king, giue me my father: Speake, say, where's my father?
King Dead.
Lear. Who hath murdred him? speake, i'le not 50 Be juggled with, for he is murdred.
Queene True, but not by him.
Lear. By whome, by heau'n I'le be resolued.
King Let him goe Gertred, away, I feare him not, There's such diuinitie doth wall a king, 55 That treason dares not looke on. Let him goe Gertred, that your father is murdred, T'is true, and we most sory for it, Being the chiefest piller of our state: Therefore will you like a most desperate gamster, 60 Swoop-stake-like, draw at friend, and foe, and all?
Lear. To his good friends thus wide I'le ope mine arms, And locke them in my hart, but to his foes, I will no reconcilement but by bloud.
King Why now you speake like a most louing sonne: 65 And that in soule we sorrow for for his death, Your selfe ere long shall be a witnesse, Meane while be patient, and content your selfe.
Enter Ofelia as before.
Lear. Who's this, Ofelia? O my deere sister! I'st possible a yong maides life, 70 Should be as mortall as an olde mans sawe? O heau'ns themselues! how now Ofelia?
Ofel. Wel God a mercy, I a bin gathering of floures: Here, here is rew for you, You may call it hearb a grace a Sundayes, 75 Heere's some for me too: you must weare your rew With a difference, there's a dazie. Here Loue, there's rosemary for you For remembrance: I pray Loue remember, And there's pansey for thoughts. 80
Lear. A document in madnes, thoughts, remembrance: O God, O God!
Ofelia There is fennell for you, I would a giu'n you Some violets, but they all withered, when My father died: alas, they say the owle was 85 A Bakers daughter, we see what we are, But can not tell what we shall be. For bonny sweete Robin is all my joy.
Lear. Thoughts & afflictions, torments worse than hell.
Ofel. Nay Loue, I pray you make no words of this now: 90 I pray now, you shall sing a downe, And you a downe a, t'is a the Kings daughter And the false steward, and if any body Aske you of any thing, say you this. To morrow is saint Valentines day, 95 All in the morning betime, And a maide at your window, To be your Valentine: The yong man rose, and dan'd his clothes, And dupt the chamber doore, 100 Let in the maide, that out a maide Neuer departed more. Nay I pray marke now, By gisse, and by saint Charitie, Away, and fie for shame: 105 Yong men will doo't when they come too't: By cocke they are too blame. Quoth she, before you tumbled me, You promised me to wed. So would I a done, by yonder Sunne, 110 If thou hadst not come to my bed. So God be with you all, God bwy Ladies. God bwy you Loue. exit Ofelia.
Lear. Griefe vpon griefe, my father murdered, My sister thus distracted: 115 Cursed be his soule that wrought this wicked act.
King Content you good Leartes for a time, Although I know your griefe is as a floud, Brimme full of sorrow, but forbeare a while, And thinke already the reuenge is done 120 On him that makes you such a haplesse sonne.
Lear. You haue preuail'd my Lord, a while I'le striue, To bury griefe within a tombe of wrath, Which once vnhearsed, then the world shall heare Leartes had a father he held deere. 125
King No more of that, ere many dayes be done, You shall heare that you do not dreame vpon. exeunt om.
[Sidenote: [SC. XIV.]]
Enter Horatio and the Queene.
Hor. Madame, your sonne is safe arriv'de in Denmarke, This letter I euen now receiv'd of him, Whereas he writes how he escap't the danger, And subtle treason that the king had plotted, Being crossed by the contention of the windes, 5 He found the Packet sent to the king of England, Wherein he saw himselfe betray'd to death, As at his next conuersion with your grace, He will relate the circumstance at full.
Queene Then I perceiue there's treason in his lookes 10 That seem'd to sugar o're his villanie: But I will soothe and please him for a time, For murderous mindes are alwayes jealous, But know not you Horatio where he is?
Hor. Yes Madame, and he hath appoynted me 15 To meete him on the east side of the Cittie To morrow morning.
Queene O faile not, good Horatio, and withall, commend me A mothers care to him, bid him a while Be wary of his presence, lest that he 20 Faile in that he goes about.
Hor. Madam, neuer make doubt of that: I thinke by this the news be come to court: He is arriv'de, obserue the king, and you shall Quickely finde, Hamlet being here, 25 Things fell not to his minde.
Queene But what became of Gilderstone and Rossencraft?
Hor. He being set ashore, they went for England, And in the Packet there writ down that doome To be perform'd on them poynted for him: 30 And by great chance he had his fathers Seale, So all was done without discouerie.
Queene Thankes be to heauen for blessing of the prince, Horatio once againe I take my leaue, With thowsand mothers blessings to my sonne. 35
Horat. Madam adue.
[Sidenote: [SC. XV.]]
Enter King and Leartes.
King. Hamlet from England! is it possible? What chance is this? they are gone, and he come home.
Lear. O he is welcome, by my soule he is: At it my iocund heart doth leape for ioy, That I shall liue to tell him, thus he dies. 5
King Leartes, content your selfe, be rulde by me, And you shall haue no let for your reuenge.
Lear. My will, not all the world.
King Nay but Leartes, marke the plot I haue layde, I haue heard him often with a greedy wish, 10 Vpon some praise that he hath heard of you Touching your weapon, which with all his heart, He might be once tasked for to try your cunning.
Lea. And how for this?
King Mary Leartes thus: I'le lay a wager, 15 Shalbe on Hamlets side, and you shall giue the oddes, The which will draw him with a more desire, To try the maistry, that in twelue venies You gaine not three of him: now this being granted, When you are hot in midst of all your play, 20 Among the foyles shall a keene rapier lie, Steeped in a mixture of deadly poyson, That if it drawes but the least dramme of blood, In any part of him, he cannot liue: This being done will free you from suspition, 25 And not the deerest friend that Hamlet lov'de Will euer haue Leartes in suspect.
Lear. My lord, I like it well: But say lord Hamlet should refuse this match.
King I'le warrant you, wee'le put on you 30 Such a report of singularitie, Will bring him on, although against his will. And lest that all should misse, I'le haue a potion that shall ready stand, In all his heate when that he calles for drinke, 35 Shall be his period and our happinesse.
Lear. T'is excellent, O would the time were come! Here comes the Queene. enter the Queene.
King How now Gertred, why looke you heauily?
Queene O my Lord, the yong Ofelia Hauing made a garland of sundry sortes of floures, Sitting vpon a willow by a brooke, The enuious sprig broke, into the brooke she fell, And for a while her clothes spread wide abroade, Bore the yong Lady vp: and there she sate smiling, 45 Euen Mermaide-like, twixt heauen and earth, Chaunting olde sundry tunes vncapable As it were of her distresse, but long it could not be, Till that her clothes, being heauy with their drinke, Dragg'd the sweete wretch to death. 50
Lear. So, she is drownde: Too much of water hast thou Ofelia, Therefore I will not drowne thee in my teares, Reuenge it is must yeeld this heart releefe, For woe begets woe, and griefe hangs on griefe. exeunt. 55
[Sidenote: [SC. XVI.]]
Enter Clowne and an other.
Clowne I say no, she ought not to be buried In christian buriall.
2. Why sir?
Clowne Mary because shee's drownd.
2. But she did not drowne her selfe. 5
Clowne No, that's certaine, the water drown'd her.
2. Yea but it was against her will.
Clowne No, I deny that, for looke you sir, I stand here, If the water come to me, I drowne not my selfe: But if I goe to the water, and am there drown'd, 10 Ergo I am guiltie of my owne death: Y'are gone, goe y'are gone sir.
2. I but see, she hath christian buriall, Because she is a great woman.
Clowne Mary more's the pitty, that great folke 15 Should haue more authoritie to hang or drowne Themselues, more than other people: Goe fetch me a stope of drinke, but before thou Goest, tell me one thing, who buildes strongest, Of a Mason, a Shipwright, or a Carpenter? 20
2. Why a Mason, for he buildes all of stone, And will indure long.
Clowne That's prety, too't agen, too't agen.
2. Why then a Carpenter, for he buildes the gallowes, And that brings many a one to his long home. 25
Clowne Prety agen, the gallowes doth well, mary howe dooes it well? the gallowes dooes well to them that doe ill, goe get thee gone: And if any one aske thee hereafter, say, A Graue-maker, for the houses he buildes 30 Last till Doomes-day. Fetch me a stope of beere, goe.
Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
Clowne A picke-axe and a spade, A spade for and a winding sheete, Most fit it is, for t'will be made, he throwes vp a shouel. For such a ghest most meete. 35
Ham. Hath this fellow any feeling of himselfe, That is thus merry in making of a graue? See how the slaue joles their heads against the earth.
Hor. My lord, Custome hath made it in him seeme nothing.
Clowne A pick-axe and a spade, a spade, 40 For and a winding sheete, Most fit it is for to be made, For such a ghest most meet.
Ham. Looke you, there's another Horatio. Why mai't not be the scull of some Lawyer? 45 Me thinkes he should indite that fellow Of an action of Batterie, for knocking Him about the pate with's shouel: now where is your Quirkes and quillets now, your vouchers and Double vouchers, your leases and free-holde, 50 And tenements? why that same boxe there will scarse Holde the conueiance of his land, and must The honor lie there? O pittifull transformance! I prethee tell me Horatio, Is parchment made of sheep-skinnes? 55
Hor. I my Lorde, and of calues-skinnes too.
Ham. Ifaith they prooue themselues sheepe and calues That deale with them, or put their trust in them. There's another, why may not that be such a ones Scull, that praised my Lord such a ones horse, 60 When he meant to beg him? Horatio, I prethee Lets question yonder fellow. Now my friend, whose graue is this?
Clowne Mine sir.
Ham. But who must lie in it? 65
Clowne If I should say, I should, I should lie in my throat sir.
Ham. What man must be buried here?
Clowne No man sir.
Ham. What woman?
Clowne. No woman neither sir, but indeede 70 One that was a woman.
Ham. An excellent fellow by the Lord Horatio, This seauen yeares haue I noted it: the toe of the pesant, Comes so neere the heele of the courtier, That hee gawles his kibe, I prethee tell mee one thing, 75 How long will a man lie in the ground before hee rots?
Clowne Ifaith sir, if hee be not rotten before He be laide in, as we haue many pocky corses, He will last you, eight yeares, a tanner Will last you eight yeares full out, or nine. 80
Ham. And why a tanner?
Clowne Why his hide is so tanned with his trade, That it will holde out water, that's a parlous Deuourer of your dead body, a great soaker. Looke you, heres a scull hath bin here this dozen yeare, 85 Let me see, I euer since our last king Hamlet Slew Fortenbrasse in combat, yong Hamlets father, Hee that's mad.
Ham. I mary, how came he madde?
Clowne Ifaith very strangely, by loosing of his wittes. 90
Ham. Vpon what ground?
Clowne A this ground, in Denmarke.
Ham. Where is he now?
Clowne Why now they sent him to England.
Ham. To England! wherefore? 95
Clowne Why they say he shall haue his wittes there, Or if he haue not, t'is no great matter there, It will not be seene there.
Ham. Why not there?
Clowne Why there they say the men are as mad as he. 100
Ham. Whose scull was this?
Clowne This, a plague on him, a madde rogues it was, He powred once a whole flagon of Rhenish of my head, Why do not you know him? this was one Yorickes scull.
Ham. Was this? I prethee let me see it, alas poore Yoricke 105 I knew him Horatio, A fellow of infinite mirth, he hath caried mee twenty times vpon his backe, here hung those lippes that I haue Kissed a hundred times, and to see, now they abhorre me: Wheres your iests now Yoricke? your flashes of meriment: now go 110 to my Ladies chamber, and bid her paint her selfe an inch thicke, to this she must come Yoricke. Horatio, I prethee tell me one thing, doost thou thinke that Alexander looked thus?
Hor. Euen so my Lord. 115
Ham. And smelt thus?
Hor. I my lord, no otherwise.
Ham. No, why might not imagination worke, as thus of Alexander, Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander became earth, of earth we make clay, and Alexander being 120 but clay, why might not time bring to passe, that he might stoppe the boung hole of a beere barrell? Imperious Cæsar dead and turnd to clay, Might stoppe a hole, to keepe the winde away.
_Enter King and Queene, Leartes, and other lordes, with a Priest after the coffin._
Ham. What funerall's this that all the Court laments? 125 It shews to be some noble parentage: Stand by a while.
Lear. What ceremony else? say, what ceremony else?
Priest My Lord, we haue done all that lies in vs, And more than well the church can tolerate, 130 She hath had a Dirge sung for her maiden soule: And but for fauour of the king, and you, She had beene buried in the open fieldes, Where now she is allowed christian buriall.
Lear. So, I tell thee churlish Priest, a ministring Angell 135 shall my sister be, when thou liest howling.
Ham. The faire Ofelia dead!
Queene Sweetes to the sweete, farewell: I had thought to adorne thy bridale bed, faire maide, And not to follow thee vnto thy graue. 140
Lear. Forbeare the earth a while: sister farewell:
Leartes leapes into the graue.
Now powre your earth on, Olympus hie, And make a hill to o're top olde Pellon: Hamlet leapes in Whats he that coniures so? after Leartes
Ham. Beholde tis I, Hamlet the Dane. 145
Lear. The diuell take thy soule.
Ham. O thou praiest not well, I prethee take thy hand from off my throate, For there is something in me dangerous, Which let thy wisedome feare, holde off thy hand: 150 I lou'de Ofelia as deere as twenty brothers could: Shew me what thou wilt doe for her: Wilt fight, wilt fast, wilt pray, Wilt drinke vp vessels, eate a crocadile? Ile doot: Com'st thou here to whine? 155 And where thou talk'st of burying thee a liue, Here let vs stand: and let them throw on vs, Whole hills of earth, till with the heighth therof, Make Oosell as a Wart.
King. Forbeare Leartes, now is hee mad, as is the sea, Anone as milde and gentle as a Doue: Therfore a while giue his wilde humour scope.
Ham. What is the reason sir that you wrong mee thus? I neuer gaue you cause: but stand away, A Cat will meaw, a Dog will haue a day. 165
Exit Hamlet and Horatio.
[Sidenote: [SC. XVII.]]
Queene. Alas, it is his madnes makes him thus, And not his heart, Leartes.
King. My lord, t'is so: but wee'le no longer trifle, This very day shall Hamlet drinke his last, For presently we meane to send to him, 5 Therfore Leartes be in readynes.
Lear. My lord, till then my soule will not bee quiet.
King. Come Gertred, wee'l haue Leartes, and our sonne, Made friends and Louers, as befittes them both, Euen as they tender vs, and loue their countrie. 10
Queene God grant they may. exeunt omnes.
[Sidenote: [SC. XVIII.]]
Enter Hamlet and Horatio
Ham. Beleeue mee, it greeues mee much Horatio, That to Leartes I forgot my selfe: For by my selfe me thinkes I feele his griefe, Though there's a difference in each others wrong. Enter a Bragart Gentleman. Horatio, but marke yon water-flie, 5 The Court knowes him, but hee knowes not the Court.
Gent. Now God saue thee, sweete prince Hamlet.
Ham. And you sir: foh, how the muske-cod smels!
Gen. I come with an embassage from his maiesty to you
Ham. I shall sir giue you attention: 10 By my troth me thinkes t'is very colde.
Gent. It is indeede very rawish colde.
Ham. T'is hot me thinkes.
Gent. Very swoltery hote: The King, sweete Prince, hath layd a wager on your side, 15 Six Barbary horse, against six french rapiers, With all their acoutrements too, a the carriages: In good faith they are very curiously wrought.
Ham. The cariages sir, I do not know what you meane.
Gent. The girdles, and hangers sir, and such like. 20
Ham. The worde had beene more cosin german to the phrase, if he could haue carried the canon by his side, And howe's the wager? I vnderstand you now.
Gent. Mary sir, that yong Leartes in twelue venies At Rapier and Dagger do not get three oddes of you, 25 And on your side the King hath laide, And desires you to be in readinesse.
Ham. Very well, if the King dare venture his wager, I dare venture my skull: when must this be?
Gent. My Lord, presently, the king, and her maiesty, 30 With the rest of the best iudgement in the Court, Are comming downe into the outward pallace.
Ham. Goe tell his maiestie, I wil attend him.
Gent. I shall deliuer your most sweet answer. exit.
Ham. You may sir, none better, for y'are spiced, 35 Else he had a bad nose could not smell a foole.
Hor. He will disclose himselfe without inquirie.
Ham. Beleeue me Horatio, my hart is on the sodaine Very sore, all here about.
Hor. My lord, forbeare the challenge then. 40
Ham. No Horatio, not I, if danger be now, Why then it is not to come, theres a predestiuate prouidence in the fall of a sparrow: heere comes the King.
Enter King, Queene, Leartes, Lordes.
King Now sonne Hamlet, we hane laid vpon your head, And make no question but to haue the best. 45
Ham. Your maiestie hath laide a the weaker side.
King. We doubt it not, deliuer them the foiles.
Ham. First Leartes, heere's my hand and loue, Protesting that I neuer wrongd Leartes. If Hamlet in his madnesse did amisse, 50 That was not Hamlet, but his madnes did it, And all the wrong I e're did to Leartes, I here proclaime was madnes, therefore lets be at peace, And thinke I haue shot mine arrow o're the house, And hurt my brother. 55
Lear. Sir I am satisfied in nature, But in termes of honor I'le stand aloofe, And will no reconcilement, Till by some elder maisters of our time I may be satisfied. 60
King Giue them the foyles.
Ham. I'le be your foyle Leartes, these foyles, Haue all a laught, come on sir: a hit.
Lear. No none. Heere they play:
Ham. Iudgement. 65
Gent. A hit, a most palpable hit.
Lear. Well, come againe. They play againe.
Ham. Another. Iudgement.
Lear. I, I grant, a tuch, a tuch.
King Here Hamlet, the king doth drinke a health to thee 70
Queene Here Hamlet, take my napkin, wipe thy face.
King Giue him the wine.
Ham. Set it by, I'le haue another bowt first, I'le drinke anone.
Queene Here Hamlet, thy mother drinkes to thee. 75
Shee drinkes.
King Do not drinke Gertred: O t'is the poysned cup!
Ham. Leartes come, you dally with me, I pray you passe with your most cunningst play.
Lear. I! say you so? haue at you, He hit you now my Lord: 80 And yet it goes almost against my conscience.
Ham. Come on sir.
_They catch one anothers Rapiers, and both are wounded, Leartes falles downe, the Queene falles downe and dies._
King Looke to the Queene.
Queene O the drinke, the drinke, Hamlet, the drinke.
Ham. Treason, ho, keepe the gates. 85
Lords How ist my Lord Leartes?
Lear. Euen as a coxcombe should, Foolishly slaine with my owne weapon: Hamlet, thou hast not in thee halfe an houre of life, The fatall Instrument is in thy hand. 90 Vnbated and invenomed: thy mother's poysned That drinke was made for thee.
Ham. The poysned Instrument within my hand? Then venome to thy venome, die damn'd villaine: Come drinke, here lies thy vnion here. The king dies. 95
Lear. O he is justly serued: Hamlet, before I die, here take my hand, And withall, my loue: I doe forgiue thee. Leartes dies.
Ham. And I thee, O I am dead Horatio, fare thee well.
Hor. No, I am more an antike Roman, 100 Then a Dane, here is some poison left.
Ham. Vpon my loue I charge thee let it goe, O fie Horatio, and if thou shouldst die, What a scandale wouldst thou leaue behinde? What tongue should tell the story of our deaths, 105 If not from thee? O my heart sinckes Horatio, Mine eyes haue lost their sight, my tongue his vse: Farewel Horatio, heauen receiue my soule. Ham. dies.
_Enter Voltemar and the Ambassadors from England. Enter Fortenbrasse with his traine._
Fort. Where is this bloudy sight?
Hor. If aught of woe or wonder you'ld behold, Then looke vpon this tragicke spectacle.
Fort. O imperious death! how many Princes Hast thou at one draft bloudily shot to death?
Ambass. Our ambassie that we haue brought from England, Where be these Princes that should heare vs speake? 115 O most most vnlooked for time! vnhappy country.
Hor. Content your selues, Ile shew to all, the ground, The first beginning of this Tragedy: Let there a scaffold be rearde vp in the market place, And let the State of the world be there: 120 Where you shall heare such a sad story tolde, That neuer mortall man could more vnfolde.
Fort. I haue some rights of memory to this kingdome, Which now to claime my leisure doth inuite mee: Let foure of our chiefest Captaines 125 Beare Hamlet like a souldier to his graue: For he was likely, had he liued, To a prou'd most royall. Take vp the bodie, such a fight as this Becomes the fieldes, but here doth much amisse. 130
Finis.
FOOTNOTES:
[2422] Leartes] Leartes, B. Mus. copy.
newes] news B. Mus. copy.
[2423] God] God, B. Mus. copy.
moneths] months B. Mus. copy.
maried,] married B. Mus. copy.
KING LEAR.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ[C].
LEAR, king of Britain. KING OF FRANCE. DUKE OF BURGUNDY. DUKE OF CORNWALL. DUKE OF ALBANY. EARL OF KENT. EARL OF GLOUCESTER. EDGAR, son to Gloucester. EDMUND, bastard son to Gloucester. CURAN, a courtier. Old Man, tenant to Gloucester. Doctor. Fool. OSWALD, steward to Goneril. A captain employed by Edmund. Gentleman attendant on Cordelia. Herald. Servants to Cornwall.
GONERIL, } REGAN, } daughters to Lear. CORDELIA, }
Knights of Lear's train, Captains, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants.
SCENE: Britain.
[C] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. First given by Rowe.
THE TRAGEDY OF
KING LEAR.